Ireland Emerges as One of the World’s Most Peaceful Nations

Although it may not always feel that way, Ireland today stands as the second most peaceful country in the world after Iceland, according to the Global Peace Index, which monitors crime and violence across the globe.

Just two decades ago, the picture was starkly different. Gangland violence gripped the nation, with near-weekly murders carried out for sums as little as €500. Entire working-class communities were terrorised into silence, as organised crime syndicates, most notably the Kinahan organisation, left their mark across the country. For many law-abiding citizens, life was lived in fear.

That reality has shifted dramatically. Since the end of the notorious Kinahan–Hutch feud, violent crime has fallen sharply, and almost every serious criminal or contract killer linked to gangland activity is now serving lengthy prison sentences. The once-troubled streets of Dublin, Cork, Limerick, and Drogheda have become far safer places to live and work.

Today, the majority of homicides in Ireland stem from domestic disputes or isolated attacks where the perpetrator is known to the victim. Random killings are virtually unheard of, and Irish children can attend schools and universities in safety—an assurance not available in many countries worldwide.

Drugs remain a significant challenge, however. Cocaine, now the drug of choice for much of the younger generation, is widely available across towns, villages, and cities, with middle-class consumption driving demand. The global cocaine trade, worth billions, continues to exploit Ireland as a transit route. Authorities concede that for every shipment intercepted, multiple consignments slip through. Yet, in recent years, the Gardaí and Defence Forces have achieved notable successes against traffickers, curbing the power of major drug lords.

For older generations, today’s stability is even more remarkable when contrasted with the Troubles. During those years, daily reports of shootings, bombings, and beatings dominated the news, with the Dublin and Monaghan bombings—claiming 33 lives and an unborn child—remaining the deadliest atrocity of that era. The peace process in Northern Ireland has been transformative, eliminating the weapons and explosives that once destabilised the island.

Recent crime statistics reinforce this progress. Figures for the first quarter of 2025 reveal an overall 7 percent drop in reported crimes compared to last year—an especially notable achievement given that Ireland’s population increased by more than 90,000 in 2024. Incidents of theft, robbery, aggravated burglary, violent disorder, and criminal damage all recorded significant declines.

Nonetheless, challenges remain. Authorities report a rise in sexual assault and rape cases, with experts pointing to the influence of online pornography. Fraud, particularly internet-based scams, has also surged, alongside public disorder offences concentrated in Dublin.

Still, Ireland’s position as one of the safest nations in the world is clear. While no one would feel comfortable leaving their front door unlocked—a level of trust that perhaps vanished in the 1960s, when Ireland had half today’s population—the country has travelled an extraordinary distance. From a past marred by gangland killings and political violence, Ireland now ranks among the most peaceful societies on the planet.