In many cases the delay in physical discharge was the result of a lack of step down beds or care facility openings.

Speaking to the Joe Finnegan Show today, Senator Eugene Murphy has urged the family to get in touch with his office.

The local authority says it can only place the family in a five-bedroomed house, but said no such property was currently available.

The majority of incidents happened during the day, with just 18 logged as having occurred at night time in an unlit area.

They are investigating the discharge of a firearm in Ballinasloe last Friday and a burglary of a jewellery shop in Athlone last month.

Gardaí say that at approximately 3am this morning a number of shots were discharged at a residential property in Garbally Oaks, Ballinasloe.

100 officers will wear a soft baseball cap and a 'bump stop cap' which offers better protection.

Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to come forward.