Tougher sentencing will tackle the “growing problem” of knife crime in Irish society, the Department of Justice has said.

Today, Cabinet gave its approval to legislation that would increase the maximum sentence for possession from five to seven years.

On average, Gardaí have seized over 2,000 knives every year since 2019 and Justice Minister Helen McEntee told Newstalk the legislation would stop the situation deteriorating.

“Thankfully, we are not in a situation where we seem, [like] in London or Glasgow, particular gangs where knife crime is a really serious issue,” she said. 

“We have seen a small and incremental problem here in Ireland and we need to make sure it doesn’t get any worse.” 

On The Pat Kenny Show, Minister of State for Law Reform James Browne said Ireland already has long sentences for those convicted of knife crime - but the legislation would make things tougher.

“When you commit a serious criminal offence, the tariff has to match the seriousness of that offence,” he said. 

“We have one of the most serious penalties for knife crime in the world at the moment - five years for possession and it’s four years in the UK. 

“For most countries, it’s only two years.” 

A Prison officer from Mountjoy Prison holds made knives made with a tooth brush with blades and fire lighter which were confiscated in prison. Photo Rolling News.ie

Minister Browne described knife crime as a “growing problem”, adding that the “punishment should fit the crime”.

“What we want to mark out in this proposal is particular offences that take it beyond simple possession of a knife,” he said. 

“[Such as] where someone trespasses or where they’re carrying that knife with the clear intention of actually using it or hurting somebody. 

“Sometimes you see, unfortunately, young people very stupidly carry a knife in the misbelief it [helps with] self-protection. 

“That’s wrong - it’s a serious offence.” 

'Legitimate purposes'

Minister Browne said the legislation will not ban the possession of knives entirely. 

People will still be able “perfectly entitled” to use knives for ‘legitimate purposes’ - such as for cooking in their homes or in their work.

“If you’ve bought a Swiss Army knife and you’re on your way home with it - that’s fine,” he said. 

“There’s a clear legitimate purpose - you’re bringing it home. 

“The same with a tradesperson; if that tradesperson is out at 3 in the morning with that same knife, they can be charged because it’s [not work] at that hour of the morning, walking around Grafton Street.” 

Prior to his election as Taoiseach, Simon Harris told the Fine Gael Ard Fheis there would be a renewed focus on law and order issues in Government.

Main image: Knives seized by Gardaí as part of an operatrion in Dublin in May 2020. Picture by: RollingNews.ie / Garda Press Office