O’Shea Calls for Continued Action to Tackle Knife Crime

Deputy John Paul O’Shea – TD for Cork North West has called for continued and enhanced efforts to tackle knife crime across Ireland, stating that while progress has been made in reducing certain knife-related offences, there can be no room for complacency when it comes to public safety.

Deputy O’Shea made the comments following a Parliamentary Question response from the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration outlining the Government’s ongoing measures to address knife crime.

“Any incident involving a knife is one incident too many,” Deputy O’Shea said. “While it is encouraging to see reductions in knife-related robberies in both retail and public spaces, we must continue to strengthen our efforts to ensure our communities remain safe.”

The reply highlighted that assaults causing harm involving a knife accounted for less than 7% of all assault causing harm incidents over the past decade. It also showed significant reductions since 2020, including a 40% decrease in knife-related robberies in retail settings and a 35% reduction in public space robberies involving knives.

Deputy O’Shea welcomed the strengthening of legislation in recent years, including the increase in maximum prison sentences for knife-related offences and assault causing harm.

“Stronger laws send an important message, but legislation alone is not enough. We must continue to invest in visible community policing, early intervention programmes for young people, and initiatives that tackle the root causes of violent behaviour and anti-social activity,” he said.

Deputy O’Shea also welcomed the work being undertaken through Local Community Safety Partnerships and youth justice initiatives but stressed that ongoing engagement with communities is essential.

“Community safety is everyone’s responsibility. Local communities, schools, youth organisations, An Garda Síochána and public representatives all have a role to play. We need a sustained, evidence-based approach that prevents young people from becoming involved in violent behaviour in the first place.”

Deputy O’Shea also welcomed the development by An Garda Síochána of a new Crime Prevention and Reduction Strategy for 2026-2029, which will include measures to address violent and knife-related crime.

“We must continue to support An Garda Síochána with the resources they need while also ensuring that prevention and education remain at the heart of our response. People deserve to feel safe in their communities, and that must remain our priority,” Deputy O’Shea concluded.