Drunkenness declines in Ireland

New figures also show crime falling across the country

The rate of drunkenness in Ireland declined in the last year.

Indictments for public drunkenness (including the figure for being drunk and disorderly) fell to 59,519 in 1913, down from 63,623. This is also a much lower figure than the average of 73,515 that prevailed in the years 1903 to 1912.

The rate of drunkenness is lower in urban areas than in rural areas - 11.3 per 1,000 as against 14.2 per 1,000. Overall, just 22 cases of habitual drunkenness down from 42 in 1912.

In general, the rate of crime in Ireland fell last year. Serious crimes against the person or against property were down by 690 on 1912.

Overall, 187,381 crimes were reported across Ireland. These took place disproportionately in urban areas, as 33% of crimes took place in cities or large towns, despite these holding just 22% of the population.

The total number of people in prison in the year 1913-14 was 151,603, compared with 166,023 in the year 1912-13 - a decrease of 14,420.