Ireland has traditionally had a low level of crime, and since 1995 it has experienced an even sharper decrease in the official crime rate. The murders of a police officer and journalist in 1996 led to a transformation of criminal justice policy. A major prison-building program was launched, and a policy of "zero tolerance" policing was mounted; some of the manifestations of a "culture of control" began to emerge. However, in one significant way, the politicization of law and order in Ireland differs from Britain and the United States. The policy of "zero tolerance" has not gained widespread political and public popularity. This has restrained further excesses and contrasts sharply with the situation in other countries where crime continues to be at the forefront of party political issues. An important characteristic of law-and-order politics in post-1997 Ireland, as in other countries, has been its inherent contradictions. This is apparently a common feature of modern attempts to counter crime. As well as a thrust for more prison beds, there is also an emphasis on alternatives to prison. As well as more treatment for drug offenders, there is more punishment for drug offenders. This inconsistency is typical of modern societies in their search for effective ways of addressing crime. More significantly, it suggests that crime control philosophies and practices fluctuate considerably between jurisdictions. 4 tables, 5 figures, and 106 references