A comprehensive knife crime analysis report has been published by An Garda Síochána.
However, this report, appears to be somewhat contradicted by a press release/statement, issued by Fianna Fáil’s Minister for Justice Mr Jim O’Callaghan’s office on Friday last, August 29th.
First let us read Minister Mr Jim O’Callaghan’s press release/statement.
Statement by Minister Jim O’Callaghan on “An Garda Síochána – Knife Related Crime Analysis 2015-2024” report published today.
“I welcome today’s comprehensive knife crime analysis report published by An Garda Síochána. There are several positive aspects to the findings, including an overall drop in assaults involving knives and an increase in knife seizures by Gardaí and prosecutions.
The data shows ‘Assaults Causing Harm’ with a knife accounted for, on average, less than 7% of Assault Causing Harm incidents over the past 10 years. The findings also show a 40% reduction in robbery with a knife, in retail spaces and a 35% reduction in robbery with a knife, in public spaces since 2020. This downward trend is to be welcomed.
Through its assault reduction strategy An Garda Siochana will continue to use proactive measures to reduce even further the number of assaults using knives. This strategy is informed by high-visibility patrols and an early investigation approach.
We now have a comprehensive and robust legal framework in place in Ireland with respect to knife crime. Maximum sentences for knife-related offences such as trespassing with a knife, and producing a knife to unlawfully intimidate another person has been recently increased from 5 to 7 years imprisonment. In addition, the Government doubled the maximum penalty for assault causing harm to 10 years. The offence of assault causing serious harm already has a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
However, I am concerned that the findings also show that most incidents of harm involving a knife occur in residential settings. I intend to raise the findings of this report with incoming Commissioner Justin Kelly when we meet early next week.
My message has always been clear – carrying a knife without lawful authority is illegal and I condemn the use of knives to threaten, intimidate or harm others.”
Press Release Ends.
“There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics” Quote by Benjamin Disraeli.
Now let’s take a look at the actual report itself, as was issued by offices of An Garda Síochána.
Keep in mind the Fianna Fáil Minister’s above text issued to the press; particularly the phrase “There are several positive aspects to the findings…..”
Note: Since the report, (contained in pdf format), is some 13 pages in length including charts, we will just quote a few paragraphs. Our readers can read the report in full here, should they so wish.
Immediately hereunder, are 10 quotes from this precise Garda report.
(1) “The total number of crime incidents in which a knife was used was ranged from approximately 1,100 to 1,400 incidents per year between 2015 and 2022. In 2023, there was an increase to almost 1,600 and then a further increase to just over 2,200 incidents in 2024.”
(2) “The annual count of reported incidents of ‘Assault causing Harm’ has been overall upward trending over the ten year period from around 3,500 incidents in 2015, to just under 5,800 in 2024 (peaking at just over 6,000 in 2022)“.
(3) “The number of ‘Assault causing Harm‘ incidents, where a knife was used, has trended upward since 2016, in line with an overall increase in Assaults, and was highest in 2022 at 337 such incidents.”
(4) “The overall proportion of these Robberies which involved the use of a knife has been quite consistent at between 26% and 30% every year except 2020 (note Covid arrived February 29th 2020). At least 40% of these Robberies each year occur in retail locations and at least another 28% occur on the street/ in open spaces“.
(5) “The number of criminal proceedings (charges/summonses issued) for knife possession offences has increased from just over 1,600 in 2015 to just under 2,000 in 2024″.
(6) “2022 also marked a peak period in terms of incidents of Murder/ Manslaughter, where a knife was used, (15 reported incidents).“
(7) “The total number of crime incidents in which a knife was used ranged from approximately 1,100 to 1,400 incidents per year between 2015 and 2022.”
(8) “When considering murder – ‘Threats to Kill’ or ‘Cause Serious Harm’, the last five years have generally seen higher volumes involving the use of knives when compared to 2015 to 2019. In 2024, there were 125 incidents of ‘Threats to Kill’ or ‘Cause Serious Harm’, involving knives.”
(9) “The count of knives seized during 2024 (2,172) was similar to 2023 and in 2022. Record high numbers of knife seizures were recorded in 2020 in line with extraordinary levels of proactive policing during the Covid pandemic.”
(10) “Over the ten year period between 43% and 58% of ‘Assault causing Harm’ incidents involving a knife occurred in residential locations. The number of such incidents were notably increasing between 2015 and 2020.“
Note: Nowhere in the Minister’s Press Release does it mention that changes in data recording practices have increased the number of knife crimes detected and allowed for improved data insights on possession of knives, as offensive weapons.
To me it would appear that this report was never fully digested by the Minister’s PR Department.
Presenting facts and events from a specific viewpoint in an effort to promote a particular issue to make it more favourable, is just not acceptable.
The Department of Justice, above all others, should be seen to set the highest standard of honesty and be the most reliable and transparent, when it comes to press releases.
Meanwhile, Gardaí have reopened a number of areas around O’Connell Street in Dublin city centre that were sealed off following a serious assault this morning, Sunday 31st August. The assault took place in Westmoreland Street at around 6:30am. Take advice Minister, refrain from boasting about walking alone, on Dublin Streets.
No Minister, sadly, there are no ‘positive aspects‘ to these published Garda findings.
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