Written answers

Wednesday, 2 July 2025

Department of Justice and Equality

Sentencing Policy

Photo of Barry HeneghanBarry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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171. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he is satisfied with the current approach to the possession of knives in public places; if he will review sentencing guidelines and enforcement practices to ensure a tougher stance on knife crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36306/25]

Photo of Barry HeneghanBarry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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172. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the measures being taken to strengthen the enforcement of section 9 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990, particularly regarding the possession of knives in public without lawful excuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36307/25]

Photo of Barry HeneghanBarry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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173. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if his Department will consider developing a dedicated strategy to address knife crime, drawing on examples from other jurisdictions such as London, where rising knife-related incidents have led to targeted policy responses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36309/25]

Photo of Jim O'CallaghanJim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 171 to 173, inclusive, together.

I strongly condemn the use of knives to threaten, intimidate or harm others. The Government is committed to ensuring that the problems that we have seen in neighbouring jurisdictions do not repeat themselves here.

Knives may be used in the commission of many different types of offence, ranging from threats and intimidation, robbery and aggravated burglary to serious assaults and murder. There are many complex, interlinked and variable causes for the use of knives in the commission of offences.

As a result, there are no quick-fix solutions to tackling knife crime. Long term, evidence-based strategies are needed that address knife crime as part of a wider strategic response to anti-social behaviour, street violence, youth offending and domestic violence.

There is already a comprehensive and robust legal framework in place in Ireland with respect to knife crime, including heavy penalties for breaches of the laws concerned with the maximum penalty for possessing a knife in a public place, without good reason or lawful authority, of five years.

Five offences related to knives and other offensive weapons were increase under the Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024, which was signed into law on 23 of July 2024. Part 9 of this Act, which increases the penalties for certain offences under the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990, was commenced in September 2024.

The maximum penalty for the offences of possession of a knife with the intention of unlawfully intimidating or injuring another person, trespassing with a knife, and producing a knife while committing or appearing to be about to commit an offence, increased from 5 years to 7 years imprisonment. The maximum penalty for the offence of manufacturing, importing, selling, hiring or lending offensive weapons increased from 7 years to 10 years.

In addition, the Government doubled the maximum penalty for ‘assault causing harm’ under section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 from 5 to 10 years imprisonment in 2023. Many assaults involving knives, fall within this offence category and this increase ensures that courts have the necessary sentencing powers to reflect the severity and impact of such crimes. The offence of ‘causing serious harm’ under section 4 of that Act already carries a potential life sentence.

In 2021, my Department commissioned a report from Maynooth University entitled Evidence Review on Knife Crime, which found that intensive stop-and-search practice yields a very low ‘hit rate' and that there is limited evidence of its effectiveness in reducing knife crime.

Enforcement of relevant legislation is, of course, an operational matter for the Garda Commissioner and as Minister I have no role in enforcement matters. I am assured however that Gardaí will continue with their proactive measures to tackle this issue, including their assault reduction strategy, which is targeted at tackling all types of assaults in public, including use of knives. This strategy is informed by a pro-arrest, early investigation and proactive high-visibility approach.

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