Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín calls for zero tolerance in the aftermath of the Grafton Street fatal bank holiday stabbing.
Said Tóibín: “A ‘bin the blade’’ amnesty would be effective, along with gardai on foot patrols consistently in busy areas.”
Deputy Tóibín says the fatal stabbing to death of a man off Dublin’s most famous street is the latest in a series of knife incidents on the streets of the capital.
The Meath West TD said: “A young man lost his life in this mass brawl that went from Grafton Street onto Clarendon Street; and a young female bystander was stabbed in the melee. Whoever is responsible is currently at large, as gardai continue to investigate.
“Where were the gardai on patrol? They responded to the incident quickly, but where were they when all this was going on?
“Why weren’t there officers on the streets around Grafton Street, a busy social area, on one of the busiest nights of the year? Garda presence is a big deterrent for such crimes. But there were no gardai at hand as this man fled his attackers through the streets.”
He said knife crime was a growing concern, with recent Aontú figures showing knife seizures grew by 60% in the past ten years.
Dublin’s Mater Hospital recorded a 68% rise in knife injuries in the past five years.
Deputy Tóibín added: “Taking knives off the streets is to be welcomed. But this increase in seizures shows knife culture is worsening.
“One of the ways to combat this is awareness and education campaigns, highlighting the deadly danger of knives.
“It could have an effect, alongside an amnesty that encourages young men to get rid of their weapon, such as bin the blade.
“This was mooted some years ago, but never took off. If we can get those who carry knives to dispose of them anonymously at steel bins at garda stations, it could save lives.
“It is young lives that are at risk. Knife crime in the UK reached epidemic levels, with 64 teens killed by knives in 2024. We need to curb that happening here before it’s too late.
“Stop and search powers – balanced with civil liberties – should also help.”
