Nearly 160 people were hospitalized with stab wounds last year.

New figures unveiled at New show that 87% were male and the vast majority were in the Dublin area.

In the space of three years, just under 500 people had to be hospitalized in hospital after being assaulted with a knife.

There were 164 knife-related hospitalizations in 2018, 178 in 2019 and 157 last year.

Knife crime

Sinn Féin justice spokesman Martin Kenny said knife crime is a huge problem among young people.

“Some people carry knives they feel are necessary for their protection,” he said.

“This is a problem that must be resolved. Other jurisdictions have done a lot of work in this area, but they have found that it is not one thing that will solve the problem, there has to be a whole range of interventions.

“There needs to be a better connection with people when they get out of prison, there needs to be better youth facilities in place to make sure people have alternatives and there must be better youth facilities in place. to make sure people have alternatives.

“There has to be a culture change or a change of identity for a lot of these young people who fall into these gangs.”

Among last year’s knife attacks, 136 of those hospitalized were men and 21 were women.

Amnesty

Mr Kenny said knife amnesties have been effective in other countries.

“Of course there is a knife in every kitchen across the country and it’s a tool that everyone uses, so it’s very difficult to take it out of circulation,” he said.

“What we need to do is change the attitude of people who decide to use a knife in these circumstances. Some people are talking about an increase in prison terms for them and that is also an option. “

The figures also show that 56 people were hospitalized after being shot between 2018 and 2020.