02/06/2008

Knife Crackdown Sees Ban On Swords

Government plans to curtail the level of knife crime have been revealed, and include a ban on the sale of swords.

Gardaí have invited tenders from the private sector to develop a "focused and targeted" campaign to discourage knife carrying as the high level of reported stabbing incidents persists.

Justice Minister Dermot Ahern said legislation, to be published in the coming months, will prohibit swords, increase Garda powers to search people suspected of carrying knives and allow more knife offences to be prosecuted in the higher courts, which attract higher penalties.

The minister told the Dáil last week the latest review would recommend further controls despite existing strict prohibitions and severe penalties on knives under current law.

"The report makes a number of small suggestions in respect of changes in this area, including in respect of powers of search, the prohibition of swords and providing that summary offences be tried on indictment," he said.

"I will use the Criminal Justice Bill, which it is hoped will be available in the next couple of months, as the legislative vehicle to make the changes recommended by the Garda commissioner."

The review was set up last January by former justice minister Brian Lenihan following a sharp rise in fatal stabbings.

Mr Ahern told the Dáil that murders involving knives or sharp instruments doubled from 18 in 2006 to 36 last year.

(DW)


Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

21 March 2024
PSNI Welcomes CJINI Inspection Report
The PSNI has welcomed the publication of the Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland (CJINI) inspection report and said that it accepts all of the recommendations that relate to the Police Service.
05 November 2009
Thousands Of Samurai Swords Seized In Dublin
Some 7,000 swords have been seized in Dublin along with a variety of other weaponry.
13 March 2024
First And Deputy First Minister To Celebrate St Patrick's Day In US
The First and Deputy First Minister will travel to the United States this week for a series of St Patrick's Day engagements in Washington DC. The visit will focus on showcasing the local economy and develop key relationships and networks across the U.S. Ministers will attend the NI Bureau Breakfast, Ireland Funds Gala, a meeting with the U.S.
02 October 2019
Growing Knife Crime Culture Must Be Addressed Before More Lives Are Lost
Ireland's growing knife crime culture must be addressed before more lives are lost, Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Justice Jim O'Callaghan has said.
21 September 2015
FF Propose New Knife Legislation
Illegally carrying a knife in a public place could carry a minimum 12 months custodial sentence, under new legislation proposed by Fianna Fáil. Fianna Fáil's Justice Spokesperson Niall Collins TD commented: "A sub culture has developed among sections of our society, where carrying knives has become common place.