Ahern backs bin blade drive
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JUSTICE Minister Dermot Ahern today backs the Herald's 'Bin the Blade' campaign.
In an exclusive article, the Minister reveals his concern at the increasing number of people carrying knives.
Over the weekend there was yet another fatal stabbing in which a young man had his throat slashed.
Today, Minister Ahern says that the key to stopping much of the mindless violence is to "educate our young people to avoid carrying weapons".
Attack
His comments come after the Herald highlighted a number of vicious knife crimes, including an attack on a schoolboy during his lunch break.
Fourteen people have been killed by knives so far this year and a total of more than 1,000 blade-related offences have been perpetrated already in 2009.
"Sadly, the statistics show that young people, mainly in their 20s, make up approximately one third of knife crime offenders," Minister Ahern said.
"Knife crime and its threat to our youth is an issue that is at the forefront of my agenda as Justice Minister.
"We are all aware of the epidemic of stabbings in Britain. It is something we don't want repeated here."
- Kevin Doyle
