Assaults have dropped in Donegal despite increases beyond pre-pandemic levels in more than a dozen other counties.
Donegal is the county with the biggest drop, which recorded 590 attacks compared to 706 in the period analysed.
This represents a 16.5pc reduction and is followed by Wicklow (-16pc), Roscommon and Longford (-15pc) as well as Clare (-13.5pc).
An analysis of crime figures by the Irish Independent shows that many counties with large cities have seen assaults rise in recent months.
However, five out of the six Dublin Garda divisions have seen a reduction in crime when compared to the period before Covid restrictions were imposed.
In total 15 counties have seen an increase in assaults in the 12 months up to March of this year, compared to the same period up to March 2020 when the pandemic began.
The highest percentage increase in assaults has been in Wexford with 20pc, where 526 assaults have been reported in the past year compared to 442 incidents at the same time prior to Covid restrictions.
For full report, see www.independent.ie
