Increase of 214% in rapes and sexual assaults in Roscommon region
In the Roscommon/Longford garda division there were 66 reported rapes and sexual assault convictions in 2024.
There has been a dramatic increase of 214% in the number of recorded rapes and sexual assaults in the Roscommon region over the last 20 years.
Recent CSO figures show that in the Roscommon/Longford garda division there were 66 reported rapes and sexual assault convictions in 2024, an increase of 45 from the reported figure of 21 in 2003. This is the sixth highest hike nationally.
Neighbouring garda divisions have also shown a stark increase. In Sligo/Leitrim there was a hike of 27 to 57, an increase of 111%; in Mayo 22 to 77, a surge of 250%; in Galway figures rose to 171 from 69 in 2003, equating to a rise of 148% and in Westmeath there was an increase of 200% from 22 to 66 convictions.
Figures released to Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú under FOI by the Irish Prison Service also show that as of May 31st 2025, there were 800 sexual offenders in Irish prisons costing the state almost €80 million annually to house.
That is 16% higher than on May 31st 2024 when 692 sexual offenders were jailed in the prison system. Back in 2018, there were 172 sexual offenders in prison.
The figures also show that 235 sex offenders were released from Irish prisons in 2024, an increase of 34% on 2023 when 175 sex offenders were released. Up to May 31st 2025, 103 sex offenders were released.
Ms Ní Mhurchú has described the figures “as a wakeup call to action” and says, “it is clear we are dealing with an epidemic of violence against women.”
