One in 18 people were crime victims last year.

That's despite an average drop in crime rates throughout Ireland since the beginning of the recession.

The findings are part of a report published by the Irish Examiner which also found that Dublin has the highest rate of crime in the country, followed by Limerick, while Kerry is one of the safest places to live.

Contained in the report information that suggests you are most likely to be burgled if you live in Co. Louth; mugged or hijacked in Dublin; sexually assaulted in Limerick; shot or beaten in Waterford or to encounter someone who is drunk and disorderly if you're in Kerry.

Roscommon and Longford were found to be the safest counties.

The newspaper came in for criticism in recent weeks, after running a marketing campaign that included this divisive billboard.

Sean McCarthaigh is a reporter with the Examiner - he spoke to Newstalk's Breakfast this morning: