Knife attacks most likely to occur at home, new Garda data shows

The majority of murder or manslaughter cases where a knife was involved take place in residential settings. Picture: iStock

Most assaults causing harm with a knife happen inside homes rather than on the streets, a new analysis by gardaí has found.

A review of knife crimes over the last 10 years, found that such incidents accounted for just 5% of assaults causing harm in 2024 while the majority of murders and manslaughters using a knife also happen in residential locations rather than on streets and open spaces.

There has been a marked increase in knives seized by An Garda Síochána in the last five years compared to the previous five-year period, along with an increase in prosecutions for possessing a knife.

In recent months, politicians have been urging a crackdown on knife crime following a series of high-profile incidents. This includes an alleged assault on a garda on Dublin’s Capel Street last month for which a man has been charged and the case is before the courts.

First such analysis since 2021

The publication of data by the gardaí is the first such analysis of knife crime since 2021. 

Earlier this year, Aontú leader Peadar Toibín hit out at the lack of up-to-date statistics around knife crime while Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan advised that a report would be forthcoming this year.

Gardaí said that, on average over the last 10 years, five knives are seized and taken off our streets every day.

In the last three years, the average number of knives seized has been around 2,200. 

Half of these seizures are in Dublin.

There are nearly 40 prosecutions every week, with 20,000 prosecutions for possession of a knife or flick knife in the last 10 years. 

The maximum sentence for possession of a knife with intent is seven years’ in prison.

In terms of assaults, gardaí said that fewer than two assaults causing harm with a knife occur on Ireland’s streets and open spaces each week. 

The maximum penalty for this offence is 10 years’ imprisonment.

Men accounted for 86% of offenders for detected incidents of assaults using a knife, with the 18-34 age range accounting for most offenders.

There has been less than one murder with a knife on average per month over the last 10 years with the majority of murder or manslaughter using a knife incidents taking place in residential settings.

40% fall in retail thefts using knife

Separately, gardaí said less than 30% of robberies involve a knife while there has been a 40% reduction in retail robberies using a knife recorded over the last five years compared to the previous five-year period.

There has also been a 35% reduction in robberies in the street using a knife in the last five years, with an average of three taking place a week.

In the last 10 years, 1,784 people have been admitted to hospital following assault by a knife, an average of 15 per month.

“The most prevalent offences, which sometimes involve knives, are generally sustaining a downward trend in the first half of 2025, following previous reduction during full year 2024,” An Garda Síochána said in a statement.

“Seizure of knives and prosecutions have both increased over the most recent 5 years.

“Carrying a knife can have significant consequences. Carrying a knife increases the risk of the people around you being seriously injured, and can cause great distress and upset to your family."