Local Fianna Fáil Cllr Michael Crowe has welcomed Cabinet approval this week to amend legislation in order to increase sentences for knife crime.
Cabinet approval comes after work done by Fianna Fáil Minister, James Browne, through the Anti-Social Behaviour Forum.
“Fianna Fáil in 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.
“Fianna Fáil has long been working to tackle knife crime, as the current maximum sentences for serious knife crime related offences are not proportionate,” he said.
“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 7-year maximum sentence. The penalty for importing and selling knives and such weapons will increase from 7 to 10 years.
Cllr Crowe said that his party colleague, Minister Browne, chaired the Anti-Social Behaviour Forum which recommended these proposals. It is continuing its work to make recommendations on tackling anti-social behaviour and helping local communities feel safe.”
“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 Crowe continued: “Fianna Fáil is serious about tackling knife crime. 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 three years after we introduced this amendment. Families and communities right across Ireland are being left devastated by the brutal nature of knife attacks. It has to stop,” he concluded.
