Opposition propose minimum terms for knife possession

Fianna Fáil is to publish proposed legislation this week calling for the introduction of a mandatory minimum 12 month sentence for unlawful knife possession.

Figures published by the Irish Examiner yesterday show there was an almost 60% jump in the number of knife murders last year, rising from 12 in 2013 to 19 in 2014.

The figures, provided by the Central Statistics Office, represent the highest number of knife murders since 2009, when 19 people were also killed, and the second highest number in recent history.