McEntee confirms harsher sentences for serious knife crimes

Justice Minister Helen McEntee says she is introducing tougher sentences for knife crime as a “preventative measure”.

Cabinet approved a proposal from the Justice Minister to increase sentences for knife-related crimes after new Taoiseach Simon Harris pledged to focus on law and order.

These include possessing a knife with intent to unlawfully cause injury, trespassing with a knife and producing a knife to unlawfully intimidate from a maximum sentence of five to seven years.

The penalty for importing and selling knives is to be increased from seven to 10 years.

Crediting her colleague James Browne for his work with the Anti-Social Behaviour Forum and its subgroups, which resulted in these proposals, Minister McEntee said:

“There is a difference between carrying a knife and carrying with intent. The current maximum sentence for serious offences - possession of a knife with intent to unlawfully cause injury, trespassing with a knife, and producing a knife to unlawfully intimidate another person - do not appear to be proportionate when compared with simple possession of a knife, and yet they carry the same maximum sentence of 5 years.

“That is why we are changing the maximum penalty for these serious knife crime offences, clearly targeting persons who have a willingness and intent to use knives, to a 7-year maximum sentence. We are also increasing the penalty for importing and selling knives and such weapons from 7 to 10 years. This sentence increase is in line with other recent increases I have made, including doubling the maximum sentence for assault causing harm and increasing the maximum sentence for conspiracy to murder to life.”

Minister McEntee also outlined a number of changes to strengthen the use of ASBOs (anti-social behaviour orders) which were also recommended by the Forum. This includes making it easier to issue an ASBO and better training for Gardaí to use ASBOs.

The Anti-Social Behaviour Forum was established in 2020 and has been chaired by Minister of State James Browne. Its work has reflected the ongoing commitment of the Government to tackling anti-social behaviour and helping communities feel safe. The forum has made a number of key recommendations spanning the entire Government, including the expansion of youth diversion services, local leadership programmes and strengthening the powers of An Garda Síochána.

Commenting on work of the Forum, Minister Browne noted:

“The Anti-Social Behaviour Forum has rightly noted the great work already being done, particularly in the area of Youth Justice. Protecting our young people from becoming involved in crime, including knife crime, is a top priority for the whole Government.

“The Government’s funding for youth justice services rose to €33 million this year. This sustained support is helping us to grow our Youth Diversion Network and to expand the services being offered to young people and their families. This work will benefit all our communities, not just now but into the future, as we invest in the future of our young people.”

Meanwhile a multi-layered response is required to tackle knife crime across the country, according to Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy.

Deputy Murphy, who is the party’s spokesperson on justice, said:

“Figures supplied to me through a parliamentary question give rise to serious concerns.

“According to the Department of Justice, more than 18,000 knives have been seized nationally over the past decade. The annual figures show a strong upward trend, increasing from 1,344 in 2014 to 2,260 in 2020.

“Last year’s total number of seizures was 2,186 – the second-highest annual total in the past decade. When you look at the numbers over a 10-year period, they really jump off the page.

“It is important to remember that the number of knives seized are just a fraction of what are being carried.

“There has been renewed Government interest in law and order since Simon Harris was elected Taoiseach last week, with the Minister for Justice bringing a memo to Cabinet today in relation to tougher sentences for knife crime.

“However, while it is important that people feel safe, a multi-layered response is needed to deal with knife crime, including significant investment in youth work and early intervention measures.

“A knife amnesty, which was very successful in Scotland, could also be considered here. Using this model to remove knives from circulation is a good starting point for de-escalation."