Residential burglaries dropped by 75% over the past decade
Kenneth Fox
Residential burglaries dropped by 75 per cent between winter 2024/2025 compared to winter 2014/ 2015.
New figures from the gardaí show residential burglaries represents an average of approximately 17 burglaries per day across the 26 counties, or less than one residential burglary per day per county.
In the 10 years of Operation Thor, recorded residential burglaries during the winter phase (October – March) have dropped by 75 per cent.
Just over 3,000 residential burglaries were reported in the 2024/2025 winter phase compared to over 12,000 residential burglaries reported in the 2014/ 2015 winter phase.
Q4 2024 recorded residential burglaries -10 per cent compared to Q4 2023, -3.5 per cent compared to Q1 2024.
December 2024 saw the lowest level of recorded residential burglary in December in five years.
Q1 2025 recorded residential burglaries -16 per cent compared to Q4 2024, -19 per cent compared to Q1 2024.
March 2025 saw the lowest level of recorded residential burglary since 2021.
Gardaí said during the 24/25 winter phase under Operation Thor:
Over 900 arrests were made for incidents linked to Operation Thor, including burglary, aggravated burglary, or possession of an article.
Over 2,000 charges linked to Operation Thor under that criteria were made,
There were significant operational successes during the 24/25 Winter Phase against high-profile and prolific offenders.
They arrested three males in November 2024 following the interception of a vehicle in Kildare, high high-powered blue BMW, amongst other vehicles and items seized.
Three males (1 juvenile) were arrested in December 2024 following the interception of a vehicle in Kildare, high high-powered Audi S1 car and other items were seized.
They arrested a man in Cork, December 2024, two males in Kerry were arrested in January 2025, a male was arrested in Limerick in February 2025, and a male was arrested in Tipperary during the same month
Three separate incidents involved the arrest of three males, five males and two males (all juveniles) in March 2025, stolen cars were recovered in two operations.
Speaking about the figures, Detective Chief Superintendent Boland, GNDOCB said, "An Garda Síochána understands and recognises the deeply traumatic impact on any person when their home or business premises are burgled.
"The violation of a person’s home is the ultimate invasion of privacy and oftentimes, even if nothing of sentimental or monetary value is taken, the place never feels comfortable to a victim again.”
"An Garda Síochána recognises the long-lasting impact any burglary has not just on the victim but on communities, both rural and urban.
"An Garda Síochána’s message is that we are here to help, we are here to protect and we continue to arrest and charge those involved in these insidious crimes”.
