Garda statistics show that there were approximately 17 residential burglaries recorded per day in Ireland during the winter months, reports RTE.
Between October and March, over 3,000 such burglaries were documented — marking a 75% decline for the same period compared to ten years ago, when Operation Thor was first introduced by An Garda Síochána.
This averages out to less than one burglary per county each day.
December 2024 recorded the fewest home burglaries for that month in the past five years, reports RTE.
March 2025 also saw the lowest level of residential burglaries recorded since 2021.
Since its launch in October 2015, Operation Thor has led to over 900 arrests and 2,000 charges related to burglary offences, reports RTE.
Gardaí note that residential burglary tends to rise during the winter, pointing to international data showing up to a 20% increase during months with reduced daylight.
Detective Chief Superintendent Séamus Boland of the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau called the fall in burglary rates “extremely important,” adding that while crime trends can vary, burglaries are now at significantly lower levels than a decade ago, reports RTE.
He acknowledged the drop may not ease the distress for those affected, but said the figures reflect real progress and noted that such reductions were not seen in “other European partner countries.”
He suggested that if Ireland becomes a less attractive target, criminals may shift their activities to other nations, reports RTE.
Det Boland said that some gangs involved in these crimes have already expanded into other jurisdictions.
He added that not all burglaries are gang-related.
He explained that, as in past generations, there are young offenders who commit burglaries without being part of organised crime, and emphasised the importance of involving these youths in the juvenile diversion programme, reports RTE.
Operation Thor is a national initiative managed by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.
Its five core elements include community protection and crime prevention, criminal investigations, and public awareness and education, reports RTE.
Gardaí have also reminded the public of practical ways to secure their homes.
These include leaving lights on, using timers or motion detectors, installing a home alarm system, locking doors and windows, and keeping keys out of sight, reports RTE.
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