Fine Gael TD Michael Ring calls for stronger knife crime legislation

Deputy Michael Ring is calling for a review of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990, saying that strengthened laws are required for Gardaí to combat knife crime and keep our streets safe.

“Knife crime is on the rise in Ireland. Figures show that between 2016 and 2022, a shocking 13,138 knives were seized by Gardai” said Mr Ring.

“Too much knife crime is being committed in Ireland and we have to deal with it. We owe it to the victims, their families and to the gardai to create the robust legislation needed to crack down on these harmful weapons and those who use them maliciously,” he continued.

Deputy Ring acknowledged the ‘hard work of the Justice Minister Helen McEntee on this serious matter’ and said: “The Anti-Social Behaviour Forum (a Programme for Government commitment) and the knife crime subcommittee have made considerable progress in examining the various approaches which can deal with these issues at source” 

Currently, someone found in unlawful possession of a knife in a public place can be fined and receive a prison sentence of 12 months. Deputy Ring said we need to have stronger laws as soon as possible. He shared that Minister McEntee informed him that the knife crime sub-group met last month to outline new proposals including the increase of penalties for more serious knife-crime offences.

He said: “When knife crime does occur, we need to ensure Gardaí are supported in their efforts to tackle these kinds of offences. It’s time to make the necessary changes to the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990 so that anyone caught carrying a knife or using a knife to inflict harm on another faces the full extent of the law”

“Rigorous legislation combined with the preventive measures already in motion would create a substantial and effective deterrent.” concluded Deputy Ring.