10. Statistics

Explanatory Note in Relation to Statistics

The statistics outlined in this report have been compiled from data taken from our IT systems which are primarily used as a case tracking system and were not designed for the principal purpose of generating criminal statistics. The systems are subject to ongoing development in order to enhance the quality of the data produced.

The chapter on statistics is broken down into three distinct sections:

All the yearly demarcations in the statistical tables refer to the year the file was received in the Office. The reason for going back so far in Charts 7 to 11 is to take account of the time difference between a direction being made and a trial verdict being recorded. If statistics were to be provided in respect of 2004 case outcomes, a large proportion of the cases would still be classified as 'for hearing'.

In this report we have attempted in most instances to include updated versions of the data set out in the Annual Report 2003 in order to give a fuller account of the progress made since that data was previously published. Because of the continuous change in the status of data at any given time, e.g. files 'under consideration' or cases 'for hearing', information given in this report will differ from that for the same year in last year's report. In addition, data from two years may not be strictly comparable because as time goes on more cases are completed so the information from earlier years is necessarily more complete than that from later years. Unless otherwise stated, data included in these statistics was updated as of June 2005.

Caution should be exercised when considering these statistics in light of statistics published by other organisations such as the Courts Service or the Garda Síochána. The statistics published here are based on our own classification and categorisation systems and may in some cases not be in line with the classification systems of other organisations.

Chart 1 shows the total number of files received by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions from 1976 to 2004.

The vast majority of files received in the Office relate to the investigation of crime. The remainder deal with general queries, matters for judicial review or requests for legal advice from the Garda Síochána or local state solicitors. The caseload has increased generally on a year on year basis since the establishment of the Office both in terms of number of files received and in the complexity of the issues that have to be addressed.

The significant drop of over 1,000 files from 2000 to 2001 was the result of a change in administrative arrangements authorising the prosecution of certain offences by the Garda Síochána without the necessity for the prior submission of files to this Office for directions. The sharp increase in figures from 2001 to 2002 is due to the transfer of the Criminal Division of the Chief State Solicitor's Office to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in December 2001 to form the Solicitors Division of the Office.

Chart 1 Total files received

Year

Files

Year

Files

1976

2298

1991

4255

1977

2542

1992

4880

1978

2715

1993

5356

1979

2698

1994

6393

1980

2806

1995

6674

1981

3249

1996

6687

1982

3738

1997

6915

1983

4309

1998

7066

1984

4759

1999

7321

1985

4335

2000

7815

1986

4263

2001

6821

1987

3902

2002

14586

1988

3829

2003

14627

1989

3724

2004

14589

1990

3849

 

 

 

The Solicitors Division of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions provides a solicitor service to the Director and acts on his behalf. The division also deals with cases which do not require to be referred to the Directing Division for direction.

Chart 2 represents the number of cases dealt with solely by the Solicitors Division and includes District Court prosecution files, appeals from the District Court to the Circuit Court and High Court Bail applications. The figure for District Court Appeals represents the number of files held not the number of individual charges appealed. One defendant may have a multiplicity of charges under appeal.

The Solicitors Division also deals with judicial review applications. While some of these applications are dealt with solely by the Solicitors Division, others require to be forwarded to the Directing Division for direction. However, because the dedicated Judicial Review Section is based in the Solicitors Division the total number of judicial review applications dealt with are included in this chart. Those applications which required a direction are also included in the figures for the Directing Division (Chart 3) under the category 'other legal files'. Judicial Reviews may be taken by the Director or be taken against him.

Chart 2 Files dealt with by solicitors division

 

2004

%

2003

%

2002

%

District Court Prosecution Files

1847

26%

2403

34%

2163

30%

Appeals from District Court to Circuit Court

3064

43%

2281

33%

2064

29%

High Court Bail Applications

1957

27%

2002

29%

2445

35%

Judicial Review Applications

299

4%

278

4%

438

6%

TOTAL

7167

100%

6964

100%

7110

100%

 

Chart 3 compares the number of files received in the Directing Division to the number of suspects who are the subject of these files. Many files relate to more than one suspect and to treat such a file as a single case can give a misleading impression of the workload of the Office. It is important, therefore, to look at the total number of suspects as well as the total number of files.

NOTE: The figure for the number of files received in the Directing Division is now broken down into 'prosecution files' and 'other legal files'. The reason for the breakdown is to allow the number of suspects subject of a prosecution file to be directly matched against the actual number of such files. The 'other legal files' include requests for legal advice from the Garda Síochána and local state solicitors and Judicial Review applications received from the Solicitors Division for direction.

Chart 3 Breakdown of files received in directing division

 

2004

2003

2002

Number of other legal files received not relating to prosecutions

690

651

666

Number of prosecution files received in Directing Division

6732

7012

6810

Number of suspects who are the subject of prosecution files

9512

9698

9277

 

The following chart shows a breakdown of the disposal of files received in the Directing Division in 2002, 2003 and 2004 (as of June 2005). The Garda Síochána and specialised investigating agencies submit files either directly to our Solicitors Division or to the local state solicitor for a direction whether or not to prosecute. Depending on the seriousness of the offence and the evidence disclosed in the file, a decision will be taken as follows:

NOTE: The figures for 2002 and 2003 have been updated since the publication of previous Annual Reports. The reduction in the files "Under Consideration" figures compared with those given in previous years reflect developments on those files since then. "Prosecutions on Indictment" include those cases in which defendants elected for trial and cases where the judge of the District Court refused jurisdiction, notwithstanding the fact that the Director initially elected for summary disposal.

Chart 4 Disposal of directing division files by number of suspects subject of files received

Direction Made

2004

%

2003

%

2002

%

No Prosecution Directed

3788

40%

3822

39%

3610

39%

Prosecution on Indictment Directed

2619

28%

2906

30%

2826

30%

Summary Disposal Directed

2600

27%

2784

29%

2756

30%

TOTAL OF FILES DISPOSED

9007

95%

9512

98%

9192

99%

Under Consideration

505

5%

186

2%

85

1%

TOTAL

9512

100%

9698

100%

9277

100%

 

A decision may be made not to prosecute in relation to a particular file for a variety of reasons other than the main reasons set out in this chart (referred to as "other" below). Delay, the death or disappearance of the suspect, the death or disappearance of the complainant or the refusal of a complainant to give evidence are some examples.

Chart 4a Breakdown of main reasons for a direction not to prosecute

Main Reasons for no Prosecution

2004

%

2003

%

2002

%

Insufficient Evidence

2784

73%

2896

76%

2593

71%

Juvenile Diversion Programme

217

6%

157

4%

199

6%

Public Interest

171

5%

197

5%

182

5%

Sympathetic Grounds

47

1%

54

1%

57

2%

Time Limit Expired

260

7%

288

8%

337

9%

Other

309

8%

230

6%

242

7%

TOTAL

3788

100%

3822

100%

3610

100%

Chart 4b is a breakdown of directions to prosecute on indictment, by the county in which the offence was committed. It includes cases directed to be heard in the Circuit Criminal, Central Criminal and Special Criminal Courts. Please note that a number of cases for 2004 are still "Under Consideration" (see Chart 4). It is not possible to determine how many of these cases may eventually result in a direction to prosecute on indictment.

Chart 4b Breakdown of number of prosecutions on indictment directed per county of offence

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cases Per 1,000 Persons

3 Year Rolling Averages

 

Population*

2004

2003

2002

2001

2000

2004

2003

2002

2001

2000

2002 -2004

2001 -2003

2000 -2002

Carlow

46,014

19

23

29

17

15

0.41

0.50

0.63

0.37

0.33

0.51

0.50

0.44

Cavan

56,546

27

30

45

26

21

0.48

0.53

0.80

0.46

0.37

0.60

0.60

0.54

Clare

103,277

60

64

51

28

38

0.58

0.62

0.49

0.27

0.37

0.56

0.46

0.38

Cork

447,829

240

301

299

275

294

0.54

0.67

0.67

0.61

0.66

0.63

0.65

0.65

Donegal

137,575

36

65

42

38

73

0.26

0.47

0.31

0.28

0.53

0.35

0.35

0.37

Dublin

1,122,821

1,350

1,485

1,524

1,418

1,605

1.20

1.32

1.36

1.26

1.43

1.29

1.31

1.35

Galway

209,077

82

49

47

61

91

0.39

0.23

0.22

0.29

0.44

0.28

0.25

0.32

Kerry

132,527

55

68

44

42

84

0.42

0.51

0.33

0.32

0.63

0.42

0.39

0.43

Kildare

163,944

121

93

123

92

107

0.74

0.57

0.75

0.56

0.65

0.69

0.63

0.65

Kilkenny

80,339

53

26

23

41

41

0.66

0.32

0.29

0.51

0.51

0.42

0.37

0.44

Laois

58,774

31

22

30

17

20

0.53

0.37

0.51

0.29

0.34

0.47

0.39

0.38

Leitrim

25,799

4

18

2

4

7

0.16

0.70

0.08

0.16

0.27

0.31

0.31

0.17

Limerick

175,304

85

107

83

89

91

0.48

0.61

0.47

0.51

0.52

0.52

0.53

0.50

Longford

31,068

10

16

16

8

16

0.32

0.51

0.51

0.26

0.51

0.45

0.43

0.43

Louth

101,821

63

77

97

71

93

0.62

0.76

0.95

0.70

0.91

0.78

0.80

0.85

Mayo

117,446

49

27

29

18

47

0.42

0.23

0.25

0.15

0.40

0.30

0.21

0.27

Meath

134,005

48

55

48

54

45

0.36

0.41

0.36

0.40

0.34

0.38

0.39

0.37

Monaghan

52,593

19

30

40

40

38

0.36

0.57

0.76

0.76

0.72

0.56

0.70

0.75

Offaly

63,663

17

29

11

31

18

0.27

0.46

0.17

0.49

0.28

0.30

0.37

0.31

Roscommon

53,774

20

25

13

19

21

0.37

0.46

0.24

0.35

0.39

0.36

0.35

0.33

Sligo

58,200

39

41

19

46

48

0.67

0.70

0.33

0.79

0.82

0.57

0.61

0.65

Tipperary

140,131

43

49

49

43

76

0.31

0.35

0.35

0.31

0.54

0.34

0.34

0.40

Waterford

101,546

62

94

72

52

102

0.61

0.93

0.71

0.51

1.00

0.75

0.72

0.74

Westmeath

71,858

23

45

34

48

50

0.32

0.63

0.47

0.67

0.70

0.47

0.59

0.61

Wexford

116,596

39

49

34

54

50

0.33

0.42

0.29

0.46

0.43

0.35

0.39

0.39

Wicklow

114,676

24

18

22

20

11

0.21

0.16

0.19

0.17

0.10

0.19

0.17

0.15

Total

 

2,619

2,906

2,826

2,652

3,102

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* 2002 Census Figures

Chart 5 shows the time between the receipt of a completed prosecution file in the Office and the issuing of a direction as to whether a prosecution of a suspect should be taken or not. It has been decided to show this information by suspect rather than by file since in the case of files containing multiple suspects, decisions in respect of all suspects may not be made at the same time.

Files vary in size and complexity. Also, in some cases, further information or investigation was required before a decision could be made. Further information may be sought to enhance the proofs in a case and does not necessarily imply any deficiency in the investigation.

The time taken to issue directions is calculated on the basis of only those files which have been disposed of. Files still under consideration are therefore shown as a separate category in the table below.

Chart 5 Time taken to issue directions

Time Taken

2004

%

2003

%

2002

%

Zero - Two Weeks

4126

44%

3914

40%

3564

37%

Two - Four Weeks

1232

13%

1257

13%

1287

14%

Three Months or Less

2273

24%

2340

24%

2289

25%

Six Months or Less

971

10%

1168

12%

1074

12%

Twelve Months or Less

362

4%

637

7%

550

6%

More than Twelve Months

43

0%

196

2%

428

5%

TOTAL FILES DISPOSED

9007

95%

9512

98%

9192

99%

Under Consideration

505

5%

186

2%

85

1%

TOTAL

9512

100%

9698

100%

9277

100%

 

Section 2 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1993 provides that the Director of Public Prosecutions may apply to the Court of Criminal Appeal to have a sentence imposed by the trial court reviewed, if it appears that the sentence imposed was in law unduly lenient.

Chart 6 below details the number of applications made since the introduction of the Act.

In previous reports the results of applications made were set out according to the year in which they were lodged. However not all applications lodged in the year for which the Annual Report was reporting were heard by the date of publication of the Annual Report and the results for such applications were listed as pending. It has therefore been decided, from the year 2003 onwards, to set out the results of applications according to the year in which they were heard.

Chart 6a below outlines the results of applications, from the years 1994 to 2002, by the year in which the application was lodged (as appeared in previous Annual Reports).

Chart 6b outlines the results of applications, from the year 2003 onwards, by the year in which the application was heard.

Chart 6 Applications for review of sentence on grounds of undue leniency

Year of Application

Number of Applications Lodged

1994

2

1995

2

1996

3

1997

4

1998

12

1999

34

2000

31

2001

23

2002

23

2003

26

2004

21

 

Chart 6a Results of applications by year lodged

Year of Application Lodged

Successful

Refused

Applications Struck Out or Withdrawn

TOTAL

1994

-

1

1

2

1995

-

1

1

2

1996

1

1

1

3

1997

2

2

-

4

1998

6

3

3

12

1999

17

16

1

34

2000

15

13

3

31

2001

17

3

3

23

2002

14

9

-

23

 

Chart 6b Results of applications by year heard

Year of Application Lodged

Successful

Refused

Applications Struck Out or Withdrawn

TOTAL

2003

11

8

1

20

2004

13

8

1

22

Outcomes of prosecutions taken on indictment

Charts 7 to 11 provide information for prosecutions on indictment taken by the Director in respect of files received in the Office between 2001 and 2003. As referred to in the initial explanatory note, care should be taken before a comparison is made to figures provided by any other organisation, as they are likely to be compiled on a different basis.

The figures in these charts relate to individual suspects against whom a direction has been made to prosecute on indictment. Statistics are provided on a suspect-by-suspect basis rather than on the basis of files received. This is because directions are made in respect of each suspect included within a file rather than against the complete file as an entity in itself. Depending on the evidence provided, different directions are often made in respect of the individual suspects received as part of the same file. References in these charts to 'cases' refer to such prosecutions taken against individual suspects. Although individual suspects on a file may be tried together where a direction is made to prosecute them in courts of equal jurisdiction, each suspect's verdict will be collated separately for the purpose of these statistics.

Statistics are provided on the basis of one outcome per suspect; this is irrespective of the number of charges that the suspect may have been prosecuted for in respect of that file. Where a suspect is convicted on any charge, he will be categorised as 'convicted' regardless of whether the conviction is in respect of the main charge or for a lesser charge or charges on the indictment. Where a suspect is categorised as 'acquitted', this means that the suspect has been acquitted of all charges. In respect of cases heard in the Central Criminal Court for rape and murder, a further breakdown is given in respect of convictions for a lesser offence (e.g. manslaughter instead of murder). This information is not available within our computer systems in respect of the other courts so care should be taken in interpreting their statistics. Suspects tried before these courts are categorised on the basis of the most serious offence they are charged with, but the offence or offences they are convicted for may be different from that under which they are categorised in the charts.

It should also be noted that statistics set out in these charts relate to what happened in the trial court only and not in a subsequent appeal court. In other words where a person is convicted and the conviction is subsequently overturned on appeal, the outcome of the trial is still shown in our statistics as a conviction.

Care should be taken in relation to interpreting the rates of conviction and acquittal in respect of later years, as a higher number of cases will not have reached a conclusion. The picture furnished by these statistics will be less complete and therefore less representative than those in respect of earlier years. Cases heard relatively early may not necessarily be a representative sample of the whole.

Chart 7 shows the results of prosecutions on indictment taken in relation to defendants in respect of whom prosecutions were commenced in the years 2001 to 2003 (as of June 2005). The figures relate to:

NOTE: Figures have not been included for 2004 as the majority of these cases have yet to be dealt with by the courts and the outcomes for the few cases where results are available may not be representative of the final picture covering all the cases.

Chart 7 Case results - prosecutions on indictment

Outcome

2003

%

2002

%

2001

%

Conviction

1715

59%

1972

70%

1889

71%

Acquittal

107

4%

120

4%

114

4%

Not Yet Heard

993

34%

630

22%

549

21%

Struck Out/Discontinued

91

3%

104

4%

100

4%

TOTAL

2906

100%

2826

100%

2652

100%

 

Chart 7a Breakdown of convictions and acquittals (excluding cases still to be heard)

 

2003

%

2002

%

2001

%

Conviction by Jury

90

5%

173

8%

167

8%

Conviction Following Plea
of Guilty

1625

90%

1799

87%

1722

87%

TOTAL CONVICTIONS

1715

95%

1972

95%

1889

95%

Acquittal by Jury

62

3%

72

3%

67

3%

Acquittal on Direction of Judge

45

2%

48

2%

47

2%

TOTAL ACQUITTALS

107

5%

120

5%

114

5%

TOTAL

1822

100%

2092

100%

2003

100%

Chart 8 breaks down the prosecutions directed on indictment to be heard in the Circuit Court. The cases categorised as 'For Hearing' are those for which a verdict has not yet been recorded. In some of these cases, a trial may have begun but proceedings have been halted by a Judicial Review application. In other cases the defendant may have absconded before the trial and a bench warrant and/or extradition proceedings may be in process. Other cases, especially those of a complex nature, may not yet have come to trial. The greater proportion of cases 'For Hearing' makes the figures in more recent years less representative. This provision is also applicable to Charts 9-11. Where a trial results in a disagreement the case is treated as still being 'For Hearing' unless a nolle prosequi is entered.

Chart 8 Outcomes of Cases Prosecuted in the Circuit Criminal Court

 

Total

Conviction by Jury

Conviction on Plea

Acquittal by Jury

Acquittal by Direction of Judge

For Hearing

Other Disposals

 

2003

2002

2001

2003

2002

2001

2003

2002

2001

2003

2002

2001

2003

2002

2001

2003

2002

2001

2003

2002

2001

Fatal Accidents at Work

8

5

5

2

0

1

5

5

3

0

0

1

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

Fatal Road Traffic Accident

37

47

32

4

6

9

21

32

18

1

2

2

2

4

1

9

2

1

0

1

1

Manslaughter

9

15

17

1

2

8

2

10

7

0

1

0

0

0

1

6

2

1

0

0

0

Other Fatal Offences

2

1

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

1

0

0

0

0

Total -Fatal Offences

56

68

54

7

8

18

29

47

28

1

3

3

2

4

2

17

5

2

0

1

1

Burglary

267

268

226

2

6

12

181

196

141

5

2

3

3

0

5

74

62

60

2

2

5

Fraud

51

24

47

0

1

1

27

16

28

0

0

0

2

0

3

21

7

14

1

0

1

Robbery

406

486

526

10

12

8

283

339

377

1

3

5

3

4

2

99

118

127

10

10

7

Other Offences Against Property

236

260

241

3

14

7

126

174

153

4

4

4

5

8

2

91

53

66

7

7

9

Total - Offences Against Property

960

1,038

1,040

15

33

28

617

725

699

10

9

12

13

12

12

285

240

267

20

19

22

Buggery

5

5

2

1

0

0

2

2

2

0

1

0

0

0

0

2

2

0

0

0

0

Child Pornography

31

16

3

0

1

0

21

11

2

0

0

0

1

0

0

9

4

1

0

0

0

Sexual Assault

84

83

94

3

6

9

33

39

51

6

6

8

1

1

3

40

23

19

1

8

4

Sex with an underage girl under 17 years

19

21

16

0

1

1

11

11

9

0

1

0

0

1

1

7

7

4

1

0

1

Other Sexual Offences

21

27

22

0

0

2

8

15

11

0

1

2

0

1

1

13

10

4

0

0

2

Total - Sexual Offences

160

152

137

4

8

12

75

78

75

6

9

10

2

3

5

71

46

28

2

8

7

Drug Offences

455

427

463

11

15

12

310

318

336

3

2

3

5

4

6

122

87

101

4

1

5

Firearms and Explosives Offences

150

88

50

5

8

1

89

58

38

1

1

2

3

0

0

49

19

8

3

2

1

Non Fatal Offences Against the Person

702

688

515

27

55

33

346

398

312

31

35

19

15

20

20

258

146

100

25

34

31

Public Order Offences

85

45

67

1

0

2

23

17

49

3

2

5

1

0

0

50

21

11

7

5

0

Revenue Offences

13

25

4

0

1

0

0

5

3

0

0

0

0

0

0

13

18

0

0

1

1

Other Offences

221

160

177

1

8

6

119

104

129

2

5

0

2

3

0

88

37

40

9

3

2

Grand Total

2,802

2,691

2,507

71

136

112

1,608

1,750

1,669

57

66

54

43

46

45

953

619

557

70

74

70

 

Chart 8a Breakdown of 'Other Disposals' from Chart 8

 

2003

2002

2001

Accused Deceased

3

4

7

Nolle Prosequi Entered

56

63

48

Struck Out

11

7

12

Withdrawn

0

0

3

Total

70

74

70

 

Chart 8b Proportion of Convictions & Acquittals for Cases Finalised

 

Total

Conviction

Acquittal

 

2003

2002

2001

2003

2002

2001

2003

2002

2001

Fatal Accidents at Work

7

5

5

100%

100%

80%

0%

0%

20%

Fatal Road Traffic Accident

28

44

30

89%

86%

90%

11%

14%

10%

Manslaughter

3

13

16

100%

92%

94%

0%

8%

6%

Other Fatal Offences

1

0

0

100%

N/A

N/A

0%

N/A

N/A

Total -Fatal Offences

39

62

51

92%

89%

90%

8%

11%

10%

Burglary

191

204

161

96%

99%

95%

4%

1%

5%

Fraud

29

17

32

93%

100%

91%

7%

0%

9%

Robbery

297

358

392

99%

98%

98%

1%

2%

2%

Other Offences Against Property

138

200

166

93%

94%

96%

7%

6%

4%

Total - Offences Against Property

655

779

751

96%

97%

97%

4%

3%

3%

Buggery

3

3

2

100%

67%

100%

0%

33%

0%

Child Pornography

22

12

2

95%

100%

100%

5%

0%

0%

Sexual Assault

43

52

71

84%

87%

85%

16%

13%

15%

Sex with an underage girl under 17 years

11

14

11

100%

86%

91%

0%

14%

9%

Other Sexual Offences

8

17

16

100%

88%

81%

0%

12%

19%

Total - Sexual Offences

87

98

102

91%

88%

85%

9%

12%

15%

Drug Offences

329

339

357

98%

98%

97%

2%

2%

3%

Firearms and Explosives Offences

98

67

41

96%

99%

95%

4%

1%

5%

Non Fatal Offences Against the Person

419

508

384

89%

89%

90%

11%

11%

10%

Public Order Offences

28

19

56

86%

89%

91%

14%

11%

9%

Revenue Offences

0

6

3

N/A

100%

100%

N/A

0%

0%

Other Offences

124

120

135

97%

93%

100%

3%

7%

0%

Grand Total

1,779

1,998

1,880

94%

94%

95%

6%

6%

5%

Chart 9 outlines the result of cases directed for prosecution in the Special Criminal Court. Please note that in respect of the files received in 2003, none of the cases had reached a trial verdict at the time these statistics were collated.

Chart 9 Outcomes of Cases Prosecuted in the Special Criminal Court

 

Total

Conviction by Judges

Conviction on Plea

Acquittal by Judges

For Hearing

 

2003

2002

2001

2003

2002

2001

2003

2002

2001

2003

2002

2001

2003

2002

2001

Firearms & Explosives Offences

5

2

7

0

2

1

0

0

6

0

0

0

5

0

0

Membership of Unlawful Organisation & Related Offences

11

14

23

0

2

19

0

7

3

0

0

0

11

5

1

Threat to Kill or Harm

0

0

1

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Total

16

16

31

0

4

21

0

7

9

0

0

0

16

5

1

 

Chart 9a Proportion of Convictions & Acquittals for Cases Finalised

 

Total

Conviction

Acquittal

 

2003

2002

2001

2003

2002

2001

2003

2002

2001

Firearms & Explosives Offences

0

2

7

N/A

100%

100%

N/A

0%

0%

Membership of Unlawful Organisation & Related Offences

0

9

22

N/A

100%

100%

N/A

0%

0%

Threat to Kill or Harm

0

0

1

N/A

N/A

100%

N/A

N/A

0%

Total

0

11

30

N/A

100%

100%

N/A

0%

0%

Chart 10 outlines the result of cases directed for prosecution in the Central Criminal Court and breaks down all cases by the most serious charge directed against the defendant. Supplementary charts break down the 'convictions on a lesser charge' and the 'other disposals' outcomes.

Chart 10 Outcomes of Cases Prosecuted on Indictment in the Central Criminal Court

 

Total

Conviction by Jury

Conviction on Plea

Conviction on Lesser Charge

Acquittal by Jury

Acquittal by Direction of Judge

Other Disposals

For Hearing

Most Serious Offence Charged

2003

2002

2001

2003

2002

2001

2003

2002

2001

2003

2002

2001

2003

2002

2001

2003

2002

2001

2003

2002

2001

2003

2002

2001

Murder

40

54

36

15

18

16

4

9

5

5

15

7

0

0

5

2

1

0

1

0

2

13

11

1

Rape

46

64

72

3

6

9

8

22

30

0

4

9

5

6

8

0

1

2

3

3

7

27

22

7

Attempted Murder

1

0

3

0

0

0

0

0

2

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

1

Attempted Rape

1

1

3

0

0

0

1

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

3

Total Cases

88

119

114

18

24

25

13

32

37

5

19

16

5

6

13

2

2

2

4

3

9

41

33

12

 

Chart 10a Breakdown of 'Convictions on Lesser Charge' for Cases Categorised as Murder

 

2003

2002

2001

2003

2002

2001

 

2003

2002

2001

Manslaughter

5

14

7

1

8

7

 

4

6

0

Burglary

0

1

0

0

1

0

 

0

0

0

Total

5

15

7

1

9

7

 

4

6

0

 

Chart 10b Breakdown of 'convictions on lesser charge' for cases categorised as rape

 

2003

2002

2001

2003

2002

2001

2003

2002

2001

Sexual Assault

0

2

7

0

0

2

0

2

5

Sex with an underage girl

0

1

2

0

0

0

0

1

2

Possession of Firearms with Intent to Endanger Life

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

 

0

4

9

0

0

2

0

4

7

 

Chart 10c Breakdown of 'other disposals'

 

2003

2002

2001

Nolle Prosequi Entered

4

2

5

Accused Deceased

0

1

0

Struck Out

0

0

2

Case Withdrawn

0

0

2

Total

4

3

9

 

Chart 10d Proportion of convictions & acquittals for cases finalised (including convictions on a lesser charge)

 

Total

Conviction

Acquittal

 

2003

2002

2001

2003

2002

2001

2003

2002

2001

 

Murder

26

43

33

92%

98%

85%

8%

2%

15%

 

Rape

16

39

58

69%

82%

83%

31%

18%

17%

 

Attempted Murder

0

0

2

N/A

N/A

100%

N/A

N/A

0%

 

Attempted Rape

1

1

0

100%

100%

N/A

0%

0%

N/A

 

Total

43

83

93

84%

90%

84%

16%

10%

16%

 

Chart 11 breaks down the case verdicts for each circuit criminal court. Unlike Chart 8, it does not include cases 'for hearing' or cases where the outcome is other than conviction or acquittal. Please note that in some cases, a trial may be held in a circuit court for a county other than that in which the offence was committed.

Chart 11 Outcomes of Cases Prosecuted on Indictment in the Circuit Criminal Court by County

 

Total

Conviction by Jury

Conviction on Plea

Acquittal by Jury

Acquittal by Direction of Judge

 

2003

2002

2001

2003

2002

2001

2003

2002

2001

2003

2002

2001

2003

2002

2001

 

Carlow

14

17

14

2

9

1

10

7

11

2

1

1

0

0

1

 

Cavan

17

37

14

0

0

1

16

36

13

1

0

0

0

1

0

 

Clare

22

40

22

3

7

2

17

30

18

2

1

1

0

2

1

 

Cork

189

206

165

10

11

13

165

182

147

6

3

2

8

10

3

 

Donegal

39

25

21

0

1

1

37

24

20

2

0

0

0

0

0

 

Dublin

1,006

1,116

1,089

22

58

50

945

1,019

989

18

25

27

21

14

23

 

Galway

25

31

39

0

1

4

21

27

34

3

2

1

1

1

0

 

Kerry

40

37

31

1

1

1

34

27

26

3

7

2

2

2

2

 

Kildare

42

54

38

4

2

3

34

48

33

4

4

2

0

0

0

 

Kilkenny

10

18

23

0

0

2

9

14

17

1

3

2

0

1

2

 

Laois

10

25

12

2

7

5

8

18

6

0

0

1

0

0

0

 

Leitrim

12

3

5

1

1

1

11

2

3

0

0

1

0

0

0

 

Limerick

28

49

46

2

2

5

24

41

32

0

3

5

2

3

4

 

Longford

4

16

10

0

0

0

4

16

10

0

0

0

0

0

0

 

Louth

42

56

29

8

3

1

30

44

27

4

8

0

0

1

1

 

Mayo

19

15

13

1

0

0

17

14

12

1

0

0

0

1

1

 

Meath

38

41

37

0

9

5

37

28

27

1

2

3

0

2

2

 

Monaghan

15

23

24

1

2

0

13

19

24

1

1

0

0

1

0

 

Offaly

19

9

20

5

1

4

14

7

16

0

0

0

0

1

0

 

Roscommon

17

6

10

0

0

1

17

6

8

0

0

0

0

0

1

 

Sligo

34

9

37

3

2

4

29

7

31

0

0

2

2

0

0

 

Tipperary

29

39

34

2

6

1

22

33

31

1

0

1

4

0

1

 

Waterford

46

40

41

2

2

4

40

32

34

2

2

2

2

4

1

 

Westmeath

22

20

37

1

1

1

19

19

35

2

0

0

0

0

1

 

Wexford

20

28

42

1

5

2

17

21

38

2

1

1

0

1

1

 

Wicklow

20

38

27

0

5

0

18

29

27

1

3

0

1

1

0

 

Total

1,779

1,998

1,880

71

136

112

1,608

1,750

1,669

57

66

54

43

46

45

 

 

Chart 11a Proportion of Convictions & Acquittals for Cases Finalised

 

Total

Conviction

Acquittal

 

2003

2002

2001

2003

2002

2001

2003

2002

2001

 

Carlow

14

17

14

86%

94%

86%

14%

6%

14%

 

Cavan

17

37

14

94%

97%

100%

6%

3%

0%

 

Clare

22

40

22

91%

93%

91%

9%

8%

9%

 

Cork

189

206

165

93%

94%

97%

7%

6%

3%

 

Donegal

39

25

21

95%

100%

100%

5%

0%

0%

 

Dublin

1,006

1,116

1,089

96%

97%

95%

4%

3%

5%

 

Galway

25

31

39

84%

90%

97%

16%

10%

3%

 

Kerry

40

37

31

88%

76%

87%

13%

24%

13%

 

Kildare

42

54

38

90%

93%

95%

10%

7%

5%

 

Kilkenny

10

18

23

90%

78%

83%

10%

22%

17%

 

Laois

10

25

12

100%

100%

92%

0%

0%

8%

 

Leitrim

12

3

5

100%

100%

80%

0%

0%

20%

 

Limerick

28

49

46

93%

88%

80%

7%

12%

20%

 

Longford

4

16

10

100%

100%

100%

0%

0%

0%

 

Louth

42

56

29

90%

84%

97%

10%

16%

3%

 

Mayo

19

15

13

95%

93%

92%

5%

7%

8%

 

Meath

38

41

37

97%

90%

86%

3%

10%

14%

 

Monaghan

15

23

24

93%

91%

100%

7%

9%

0%

 

Offaly

19

9

20

100%

89%

100%

0%

11%

0%

 

Roscommon

17

6

10

100%

100%

90%

0%

0%

10%

 

Sligo

34

9

37

94%

100%

95%

6%

0%

5%

 

Tipperary

29

39

34

83%

100%

94%

17%

0%

6%

 

Waterford

46

40

41

91%

85%

93%

9%

15%

7%

 

Westmeath

22

20

37

91%

100%

97%

9%

0%

3%

 

Wexford

20

28

42

90%

93%

95%

10%

7%

5%

 

Wicklow

20

38

27

90%

89%

100%

10%

11%

0%

 

Total

1,779

1,998

1,880

94%

94%

95%

6%

6%

5%

 

Chart 12 shows the breakdown of office expenditure for 2004, 2003 & 2002.

Chart 12 Office expenditure

 

2004

%

2003

%

2002

%

Salaries Wages & Allowances

8,458,701

30%

7,651,069

29%

6,345,508

27%

Office Expenses

2,926,165

10%

2,435,150

9%

3,824,600

16%

Fees to Counsel

12,374,056

43%

12,997,392

50%

10,034,317

43%

General Law Expenses

4,902,298

17%

3,121,648

12%

3,231,528

14%

TOTAL

28,661,220

100%

26,205,259

100%

23,435,953

100%

 

Charts 13 & 14 show a breakdown of expenditure on fees to counsel in the various criminal courts and by region in respect of the Circuit Criminal Court.

Fees paid to counsel in the Central, Special & Circuit Criminal Courts cover advising on proofs, drafting indictments, holding consultations, arraignments, presentation of the case and other necessary appearances e.g. for sentence.

Expenditure on fees in the High Court covers mainly bail applications and the preparatory work and hearings associated with judicial reviews.

Chart 13 Fees to counsel paid by court

 

2004

%

2003

%

2002

%

Circuit Court

5,659,687

46%

5,086,664

39%

4,923,561

50%

Central Criminal Court

3,961,620

32%

4,753,747

37%

3,031,286

30%

High Court

1,496,433

12%

1,479,486

11%

1,177,006

12%

Supreme Court

217,260

2%

178,963

1%

94,363

1%

Court of Criminal Appeal

710,182

6%

834,134

6%

547,982

5%

Special Criminal Court

267,303

2%

596,072

5%

236,639

2%

District Court

61,571

0%

68,326

1%

23,480

0%

TOTAL

12,374,056

100%

12,997,392

100%

10,034,317

100%

 

Chart 14 Fees to counsel paid by circuit

 

2004

%

2003

%

2002

%

Dublin Circuit *

3,688,480

64%

3,188,025

62%

2,918,243

59%

Cork Circuit

226,288

4%

548,147

11%

280,078

6%

Eastern Circuit

384,148

7%

389,966

8%

392,516

8%

Midland Circuit

337,059

6%

184,909

4%

272,795

6%

South Eastern Circuit

548,822

10%

420,950

8%

549,324

11%

South Western Circuit

147,058

3%

138,093

3%

223,562

5%

Western Circuit

169,800

3%

115,019

2%

121,299

2%

Northern Circuit

158,032

3%

101,555

2%

165,744

3%

TOTAL

5,659,687

100%

5,086,664

100%

4,923,561

100%

* Added €49,761 to Dublin Circuit totals to account for re-issued payable orders.