“Stronger legislation” is needed in order to combat knife crime, a Fine Gael TD has said, as he called for a review of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990.
The remarks were made by Deputy Michael Ring this week, as he warned that “knife crime is on the rise in Ireland.”
“Figures show that between 2016 and 2022, a shocking 13,138 knives were seized by Gardaí,” Ring said.
“Fine Gael are committed to ensuring safer streets and stronger communities. It is becoming abundantly clear that tackling knife crime is central to that.”
Ring went on to say that he acknowledged the “hard work of Justice Minister Helen McEntee in this serious matter,” claiming that the Anti-Social Behaviour Forum and the knife crime sub-committee had made “considerable progress” in examining approaches to the issue.
“Minister McEntee has informed me the knife crime sub-group last met on December 19th last to outline new proposals to address knife crime,” he said.
“Proposals include increasing the penalties for more serious knife-crime offences. Any potential amendments to existing legislation will be considered by Minister McEntee’s department colleagues and key justice sector agencies.”
As it stands, individuals found in unlawful possession of a knife in public can be fined and receive a prison sentence of 12 months. However, Ring said that “stronger” laws than this were needed.
“When knife crime does occur, we need to ensure Gardaí are supported in their efforts to tackle these kinds of offences,” he said.
“It’s time to make the necessary changes to the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990 so that anyone caught carrying a knife or using a knife to inflict harm on another faces the full extent of the law.
“Rigorous legislation combined with the preventative measures already in motion would create a substantial and effective deterrent.
“Too much knife crime is being committed in Ireland, and we have to deal with it.”
He added: “We owe it to the victims, their families and to the Gardaí to create the robust legislation needed to crack down on these harmful weapons and those who use them maliciously.”