Gang killings increase in Ireland

Ireland's typical murder victim is a man aged up to 35 with no job, according to figures produced by police. Statistics from a 10-year study also showed that most victims were either shot or stabbed in their own homes at night. And recent indicators pointed to a sharp increase in gangland killings, a management journal of the Irish police force reported.

The figures suggested that the murder detection rate could be falling with the spread of such killings.

While male victims were most likely to be stabbed or shot, women tended to be killed in kicking and hitting attacks, or through strangulation and arson.

The study highlighted no apparent motive for many murders, but revenge and disputes were identified as principal reasons for the crime, ahead of gangland killings.