Kilkenny councillor welcomes increased sentences for serious knife crime

Local Councillor Andrew McGuinness has welcomed Cabinet approval today to amend legislation in order to increase sentences for knife crime.

 Cabinet approval comes after work done by Minister, James Browne, through the Anti-Social Behaviour Forum.

Cllr Andrew McGuinness said: "I am delighted to see that the Government is working to tackle law and order as an absolute priority. We are seeing far too much knife crime on our streets across the country and there is a need for stronger sentencing to deter criminals.

 "The current maximum sentences for serious knife crime-related offences are simply not proportionate and stronger sentencing should have been in place a long time ago.

"The amended legislation will change the maximum penalty for these serious knife crime offences, clearly targeting persons who have a willingness and intent to use knives, to a seven year maximum sentence.  The penalty for importing and selling knives and such weapons will increase from seven to ten years.

In 2021, Fianna Fáil introduced the Firearms and Offensive Weapons (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to increase the maximum sentence that can be imposed for the possession of a knife to cause injury to, incapacitate or intimidate any person.

Cllr McGuinness continued:  "We have long believed a strengthening of our laws is required in order to protect our communities from people who carry and use knives. 

"It is welcome that action is now being taken as families and communities right across Ireland are being left devastated by the brutal nature of knife attacks. It has to stop."