The Chief superintendent of the Cavan-Monaghan Garda Division has re-iterated his claim that a sharp increase in the number of sexual offences being investigated is due to a greater number of victims coming forward.
At yesterday's Monaghan Joint Policing Committee meeting, members were presented with year-to-date crime figures.
There have been 51 sexual offences in Monaghan to date, a 76% increase on the same time last year when there were 29 offences.
Chief Superintendent Alan McGovern told the meeting that "people are more confident in coming forward" and pointed to a greater awareness at both a local and national level.
There was a similar increase in Co Cavan and figures from its most recent JPC revealed there had been a 63% year-on year increase in sexual offences, with 49 having occurred in the year-to-date, compared to 30 in the previous year.
