More than 130 knives seized in Laois Offaly Garda District in last two years

There have been more than 130 knives seized in the Laois Offaly Garda District in the last two years, according to new figures released. 

Last year there were 51 knives seized by Gardaí in the District which is down from 86 in 2022. 

The figures were released by the Department of Justice following a parliamentary question by Kildare North TD Catherine Murphy. 

It comes as Minister for Justice Helen McEntee TD brought recommendations to increase penalties for knife crime to Cabinet on Tuesday.

The recommendations are from the  Anti-Social Behaviour Forum which was chaired by Minister of State James Browne TD, and was established in 2020 in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government.

"We are all very conscious of the effect that knife crime can have on the quality of life for local communities. I can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to supporting An Garda Síochána to tackle this issue," said Minister McEntee. 

"There are many complex, interlinked and variable causes for the use of knives in the commission of offences. As a result, there are no quick-fix solutions to tackling knife crime. Long term, evidence-based strategies are needed that address knife crime as part of a wider strategic response to anti-social behaviour, street violence, youth offending and domestic violence."