Knife Law in Ireland

[Raptor]

Does anyone know what the law concerning the carrying and use of knives in Ireland is ?.
Does the law differentiate betwwen fixed and folding blades ?
What are the penalties if prosecuted ?

Obviously carrying a concealed (or worse still an exposed knife) in public in a town or city, would attract the attention of the local Garda. But I have never heard of anyone being arrested or prosecuted for carrying a knife in the countryside or in the wilds.

Any budding lawyers out there. ???

 

[Justin Time]

there is a legal forum on British Blades where you can usually get all the info you need.

 

[OutbackAl]

Hi Raptor

Here is the laws your looking for.

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/ZZA12Y1990S9.html

Taken from the link above

9.—(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), where a person has with him in any public place any knife or any other article which has a blade or which is sharply pointed, he shall be guilty of an offence.

(2) It shall be a defence for a person charged with an offence under subsection (1) to prove that he had good reason or lawful authority for having the article with him in a public place.

(3) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (2), it shall be a defence for a person charged with an offence under subsection (1) to prove that he had the article with him for use at work or for a recreational purpose.


And the list of offensive weapons.

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/ZZSI66Y1991.html

All taken from this site, which gives gun laws also.

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/ZZA12Y1990.html

Hope that helps you.

Al

 

[Raptor]

Thanks guys,
had a look at the links given, its not very clear. If I am reading this correctly, then we are guilty to start with, then we have to prove we are not guilty of going out to cause mahem and trouble.
Its a pretty sad situation when you have to explain why you are carrying a bushknife.
Its all about interpretation of the law and a Garda in a bad mood.

Good luck

 

[loz.]

Thanks guys,
had a look at the links given, its not very clear. If I am reading this correctly, then we are guilty to start with, then we have to prove we are not guilty of going out to cause mahem and trouble.
Its a pretty sad situation when you have to explain why you are carrying a bushknife.
Its all about interpretation of the law and a Garda in a bad mood.

Good luck

Hi Raptor,

As long as you keep the sharp packed away in a bergin etc, locked in the back of your car - and only take out when obviously using for leisure - eg when your hammock is hanging under the tarp !

I'v never seen a guarda very far from a road ! - i think you'll be safe as long as your not walking down grafton st with a sharp in your hand ( then again there probably as many blades in the centre than at many a moot ! )


Loz

 

[Raptor]

Hi Loz,

yeah, I hear you, seen many a strange looking sight on Grafton St..

Have you seen the thread on the Ireland meet-up, did you go to last year's moot.?

Frank