A government task force is working on a strategy to tackle the root causes -
A junior minister says weapon amnesties and minimum sentences may not work in the long term to tackle knife crime.
A government task force is working on a strategy to tackle the root causes -- and is set to report back in the New Year.
Minister of State at the Department of Justice James Browne says the review has to consider alternatives to the punitive approach.
And he says the law on offensive weapons is too unwieldy at the moment:
The maximum penalty for carrying a knife was raised to five years in 2009.
Minister of State Browne says the law should recognise different categories of offenders
.

Speed Enforcement To Increase In Kildare With 21 New Camera Zones To Be Rolled Out In January
Over 400 Motorists Caught Speeding So Far Today, Including A Driver In Kilcock
Transport Minister In Discussions With Irish Rail About Extending Late-Night Trains Beyond Christmas
Tadhg And Mary Should Be Looking Forward To Christmas, Say Gardai As Fresh Appeal Launched
Bus Shelters Treated As Luxury Rather Than Standard, With 500 Kildare Bus Stops In Need Of Upgrades
Recruitment Announcements Don’t Add Up As Garda Numbers Stagnant In Kildare South, Says Local TD
Court Orders Demolition Of 29 Unauthorised Modular Homes Built By Kildare Developer
Chris Rea, 'Driving Home For Christmas' Singer, Has Died Aged 74