Gardai ask males to use ‘brains not fists’

GARDAI are appealing to young males to “Use Your Brain Not Your Fists” and think of the consequences for themselves and others of being involved in assaults.

According to the Garda Síochána Analysis Service (GSAS), 2017 has seen the highest number of assaults since 2008.

Most assaults are carried out by males aged between 18 and 34 against males of a similar age. These assaults typically take place in and around public places (street, roads, pubs and hotels) between 8pm and 5am at the weekend, peaking early Sunday morning.

International research has shown that the level of assaults can be associated with the vibrancy of the night time economy, which has shown signs of recovery in this country following the recession.

Drogheda is expecting to welcome over 400,000 people to the town during the Fleadh Cheoil in August.

The early hours of Sunday morning are peak times for assaults at non-residential locations and 87% of offenders in assault causing harm cases are male; 53% are males aged between 18 and 34 years.