Ireland's battle against knife crime is seeing major victories, with new data from An Garda Síochána showing a significant downward trend. A comprehensive report published today confirms an overall drop in knife-related assaults, alongside a surge in Garda seizures and prosecutions.

The stats paint a clear picture of progress:

• A 40% reduction in robberies with a knife in retail spaces since 2020.

• A 35% reduction in robberies with a knife in public spaces since 2020.

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• Assaults with a knife account for less than 7% of all assault incidents over the last decade.

Minister Jim O'Callaghan welcomed the findings, noting that the government's tough legal framework is working. Maximum sentences for knife offences like trespassing have been increased from five to seven years, while the penalty for assault causing harm has been doubled to ten years.

Despite the positive trends, the report does raise a new concern: most incidents of harm involving a knife are now happening in residential settings.

The Minister has stated that he will raise this finding with the incoming Garda Commissioner.

"My message has always been clear—carrying a knife without lawful authority is illegal," O'Callaghan said, "and I condemn the use of knives to threaten, intimidate or harm others."