Catholic Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin has said there is "a dangerous culture of violence in Ireland which is difficult to understand."

While praising Ireland's young people, he said he is "saddened" by the growing number of stabbings in the country.

"Violence only leads to retaliation and further grief and those who seem to think they are stronger by resorting to violence are left in an insecurity which they know no sophisticated modern security systems can really protect them or their loved ones", he said.

"Gangland violence must stop, but not in such a way as to strengthen the trade in drugs.  A truce among drug barons could easily be used to enhance their commerce of death to the further detriment of so many young, innocent and vulnerable young people whose lives are ruined and of their loved ones whose hearts are broken."

Speaking at the World Day of Peace Mass in St Teresa’s church on Dublin’s Clarendon St this morning, he also called on schools and homes to become "the real seedbeds for non-violence", as "behind the doors of families there is also often physical violence and sexual violence."

Today, a woman in her 70s was stabbed in Ballyfermot in Dublin. She remains in a critical condition.