The Irish in Britain, including those of Irish descent, make up a significant part of the UK population. Here, you will find news, entertainment, events, sports and features from the local Irish Post newspaper.

IRELAND is Europe’s safest country despite growing concern over its murder rate and gangland violence.

Latest World Health Organisation (WHO) figures released at a conference in Scotland recently show Ireland is the least violent country in Europe.

The Irish rate of 0.32 killings per 100,000 people contrasts with that of Finland at 1.96 and Scotland at 1.75 the countries which top western Europe’s violence blacklist.

The WHO figures reveal Ireland’s homicide and assault rates have dropped sharply.

At the last WHO conference on violence five years ago Ireland’s murder and assault rate was recorded at 1.13 per 100,000 of the population.

Irish rates have dropped in each subsequent year culminating in the low of 0.32 recorded in 2005.

The figures come despite Fine Gael Justice spokesman Jim O’Keeffe dubbing 2006 the year of the gangster after 66 murders and manslaughters four more than in 2005.

He called on Justice Minister Brian Lenihan to detail how he intends to tackle violent crime.

He said: “Fine Gael will support measures that are tough on crime and the Minister can be assured of a positive response to any proposals which will make law-abiding citizens safer.”