John Deasy
Question:239. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons convicted of various categories of knife crime in each of the years 2016 to 2018. [42959/19]
View answerTuesday, 22 October 2019
Questions (239)
Written answers
As the Deputy will appreciate, under the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the Courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service and I have no role in the matter. Section 4 (3) of the 1998 Act provides that the Courts Service is independent in the performance of its functions. The functions of the Courts Service include the provision of information on the courts system to the public.
I requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Courts Service. I am advised by the Courts Service that it does not have a separate code for the various categories of knife crime and that it is not possible to identify which cases involving assault with a deadly or offensive weapon may have involved a knife. I am further informed that the only statistics held by the Courts Service in relation to convictions for knife crime are for the possession of a flick knife which have been provided to me as set out in the following table.
|
Year |
No. of convictions for possession of knife or other sharply pointed article |
Number of Persons convicted |
|
2016 |
429 |
390 |
|
2017 |
466 |
417 |
|
2018 |
548 |
482 |
More generally, I can assure they Deputy that a comprehensive and robust legal framework is in place with respect to knife crime, including heavy penalties for breaches of the law. Under the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, the maximum penalty for possessing a knife in a public place without good reason or lawful authority was increased from one to five years. An Garda Síochána also have an extended power of search without warrant, in relation to knives and offensive weapons.
I am further assured that An Garda Síochána continues to address knife crime through education and engagement with communities. I am advised that at an operational level, Gardaí pro-actively target public disorder and anti-social behaviour, including knife-related crime through the strategic deployment of Garda resources.
The Deputy may also be interested to note that the assault reduction strategy being introduced by An Garda Síochána under Operation Soteria uses Garda Síochána Analysis Service data to identify and target the primary locations where assaults are occurring. This will include a component targeting knife crimes in areas where it is shown to be relevant and necessary.
I can also inform the Deputy that an expert Steering Group is currently developing a new Youth Justice Strategy, including a review of the Children Act. The Steering Group commenced its work in February and has had a series of meetings during this year which will continue into next year.
The Group is tasked with advising and guiding the development of the new Strategy, including consideration of the full range of issues connected to children and young people at risk of coming into contact with the criminal justice system, from early intervention and preventative work, including family support, diversion from crime, through to court processes and facilities, supervision of offenders, detention and reintegration and support post release. The intention is that we will have a draft Strategy for publication for public consultation by the end of this year, and that the Strategy will be finalised in the first half of 2020.
Strengthening and expanding the role of the Garda Youth Diversion projects and other community-based initiatives, including those working with the Probation Service, and bringing the full range of relevant interventions together in a coherent and holistic response to youth crime and as a support to diverting young people from crime and anti-social behaviour, including knife crime is a key priority for the new Strategy.