James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter and I share his concern about knife crime and all violent assaults. We are familiar with the problems in neighbouring jurisdictions in this regard and the Government is determined to ensure that similar problems do not develop in Ireland, particularly as any stabbing incident has the potential to cause irreparable physical harm or tragic consequences. This is why a comprehensive and robust legal framework is in place for offences involving knives, including heavy maximum penalties. Under the provisions of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, the maximum penalty on conviction for possessing a knife in a public place without good reason or lawful authority was increased from one to five years. An Garda Síochána also has an extended power of search without warrant relating to knives and offensive weapons.

Proactive policing measures such as person searches have increased by 76% this year, leading to an increase in the number of seizures. I am advised that the Garda has secured a substantial number of convictions in the courts in recent years for possession of knives or other weapons. As one might expect, statistics on seizures of knives by gardaí in the period from 2005 to 2019 indicate that 44% of seizures relate to individuals between the ages of 12 and 23 and 65% relate to individuals under the age of 30. In addition, it would be expected that as Garda numbers increase, the enforcement numbers for crimes such as possession of weapons or possession of drugs would also increase.

HSE data indicate that the number of people being admitted to health services overnight with knife injuries has dropped. In 2019, there were 178 such incidents, a drop from the average of 236 between 2005 and 2011. This means that although An Garda Síochána is seizing more knives, the number of people presenting to hospital with the more serious injuries that require an overnight stay in hospital is dropping. An Garda Síochána is currently operating a reduction strategy for the period 2019 to 2021, which is targeted at tackling all types of assaults, including use of knives.

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