Today with Claire Byrne Knife Crime - how we are tackling the issue
Aug 13, 2025
Conor Lally, the crime correspondent for the Irish Times, dives deep into the alarming rise of knife crime in Dublin, detailing over 11,000 seizures since 2020. He discusses the gap between public perception and actual crime statistics, influenced by media narratives. Lally examines youth involvement in knife crime, pointing to drug gang exploitation and the need for community-led prevention efforts. He also advocates for a cohesive strategy similar to the UK's, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between law enforcement and local organizations to effectively combat this issue.
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Seizure Rise Driven By Better Counting
- Garda knife seizure numbers rose after 2016 largely because of improved storage and counting systems, not necessarily more knives on streets.
- Counting changes then stabilised seizures around 2,000–2,200 per year but early-2025 data suggest a possible 10% rise.
More Policing Finds More Knives
- Higher proactive policing and more Gardaí usually uncover more knives because increased stops and searches reveal hidden items.
- Recent marginal increases in Garda numbers and high-visibility patrols in inner-city areas likely explain recent seizure rises.
Injuries Not Rising With Seizures
- HSE hospital data show fewer people treated for knife injuries than earlier peaks, suggesting carrying knives hasn't translated into more attacks.
- In 2024 there were 170 hospital treatments, down from 260 in 2006, indicating injury rates fell despite seizure figures.