If you live in the east of the country you’re more likely to be burgled, according to figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

While the highest increase in burglaries took place in the Dublin metropolitan area (+1,667), the next highest increase was in the east of the country (+392).

The south of the country had the next highest increase in burglaries with 306 more in the 12 months to June 2015 compared to the corresponding period in June 2014.

There was also an increase in burglaries (+147) in the southeastern part of the country.

There was some positive news however, for those living in the northern and western areas of the Republic, there were decreases in the number of burglaries by 96 and 175 respectively.

For the 12 months to June 2015 there were 28,830 recorded burglary and related offences, an increase of 2,241 (8.4%) when compared to the corresponding period ending in 2014.

Comparing the same periods, aggravated burglary offences rose by 1.6% while recorded burglary (not aggravated) offences increased very slightly, from 25,619 to 27,890.

Possession of an article (with intent to burgle, steal, demand) offences decreased by 5.3% to 625.

70% of farmers keep a gun in their house for protection

An Agriland poll has found that over 70% of farmers now keep a firearm in their house for protection.

The result comes as Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures released this summer show that there were 420 crimes a month reported on farms throughout the country in the first half of 2014.

The problem, which many have labelled as an epidemic, has even seen the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) call on the Minister for Justice to prioritise Garda resources in this year’s budget following an increase in crime in rural areas in particular.