Fianna Fáil Spokesperson for National Drug Policy and TD for Dublin Mid-West, John Curran has said that Fianna Fáil plans to impose a mandatory minimum 12-month sentence for anyone caught carrying a knife in public.
The move comes amid a wave of knife crime in recent months across the country.
Deputy Curran said: “The epidemic of knife crime across the country in recent months highlights how carrying a knife in public has become acceptable in certain areas and attitude and complacency needs to be addressed.
“The brutal nature of knife attacks and their devastating impact on victims underlines the need to stamp this practise out and help protect communities. We need to eradicate this scourge and take back our streets for all people, day or night and this is a key priority for Fianna Fáil. We will introduce a mandatory minimum 12-month sentence for the carrying of a knife in public.”
“It is apparent that in recent years the incidence of knives being used in crime has increased significantly. The general population realising that possession of a knife is a serious offence and the introduction of this sentence will hopefully serve as a severe warning that we are serious about tackling knife crimes and culture in this country,” concluded Deputy Curran.
