Westmeath had 200% increase in sexual assault convictions since 2003

The Westmeath Garda Division has seen an increase of 200% in rape and sexual assault convictions since 2003.

Figures show just 22 convictions for rape and sexual violence cases in 2003, compared to 66 convictions for the same in 2024.

CSO figures show an upward trend in the offence of ‘rape and sexual assault’ across most Garda divisions in Ireland over the past 20 years.

Figures released to Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú under FOI by the Irish Prison Service show that as of Thursday, May 31, 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 3, 2024, when 692 sexual offenders were jailed in Ireland's prison system. In 2018, there were only 172 sexual offenders in the prisons.

The figures also show that 235 sex offenders were released from Irish Prisons in 2024, an increase of 34% on 2023 when just 175 sex offenders were released from Irish prisons. Up to Thursday, May 31, 2025, 103 sex offenders were released from Irish prisons.