The Irish Government plans to introduce new legislation that will empower gardaí (Irish police) to stop and search individuals suspected of carrying knives. This announcement follows recent knife incidents and concerns raised by Sinn Féin about the effectiveness of existing laws in tackling knife crime. The Minister for Justice outlines the new legislation and its aims.
The Irish Government plans to introduce legislation that will empower gardaí (Irish police) to stop and search individuals suspected of carrying knives. Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan announced this in the Dáil, stating that the initial framework for the Garda Powers Bill was published last year. He emphasized his intention to bring this legislation forward.
This announcement follows recent knife incidents and the tragic death of Quham Babatunde, who was stabbed on South Anne Street over the weekend. Sinn Féin justice spokesman Matt Carthy raised the issue, noting a previous statement by the Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) assuring that a robust legal framework existed to address knife crime. However, Carthy pointed out a seeming contradiction, where the Minister for Justice subsequently indicated the need for new laws to grant gardaí broader powers to stop and search individuals suspected of carrying knives.Carthy questioned the Government's awareness of existing legal shortcomings in tackling knife crime and inquired about the source of this realization. He challenged the Government's previous stance on their legislation claiming to adequately address the issue. Furthermore, Carthy argued that no amount of new laws could compensate for the lack of sufficient gardaí presence on the streets. Minister O’Callaghan defended the Government's efforts, highlighting the seizure of over 2,100 knives by the Garda last year. He emphasized the necessity for gardaí to possess the power to stop and search individuals suspected of carrying knives. The Minister confirmed that he would present the Bill, its initial framework published last year, which aims to codify the powers of arrest, search, and detention related to knife possession. He expressed hope for bipartisan support from Sinn Féin and all opposition members, emphasizing the urgent need for a clear legal basis to empower gardaí in seizing knives, acknowledged as a dangerous threat to public safety.In a separate Dáil session, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald underscored the alarming prevalence of knife carrying, characterizing it as a clear and present danger to the public and a pervasive issue.
Law & Justice Gardaí Knife Crime Legislation Stop And Search Irish Government
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