The Garda Commissioner will shortly present Minister for Justice Brian Lenihan with a report examining how the law dealing with offensive weapons might be strengthened, the Minister told the Dáil today.
Mr Lenihan offered his sympathies to the families of the two Polish men murdered in Dublin 10 days ago. Pawel Kalite (29) and Marius Szwajkos (27) were stabbed in the throat and head with a screwdriver.
Mr Lenihan expressed concern that the number of murders involving stabbings had doubled from 18 to 36 last year.
Noting that the two Polish men appeared to have been killed with a screwdriver, he said it would not be possible to regulate the sale of such items.
The Minister admitted the increase in homicides from 67 to 84 last year was a "particular cause of concern", but he commended the Garda for the fact that gangland-style murders involving guns were reduced, from 26 to 18.
Responding to questions from Fine Gael justice spokesman Charlie Flanagan, Mr Lenihan said that often the use of offensive weapons was either alcohol-related or the culmination of a pattern of antisocial behaviour.
The Minister told the House that legislative provisions dealing with offensive weapons are kept under "constant review" by his department. He said the Garda Commissioner is reviewing aspects of the law and that he expected his findings shortly.
Mr Flanagan also extended his sympathies to the families of the two murdered men.
He said he had recently raised concerns about the availability of weapons such as samurai swords, available to buy for as little as €50 to €60. "What function does [the Minister] see for samurai swords other than to inflict serious injury, perhaps death?"
Mr Flanagan said the situation now was such that it could not wait for the outcome of further consultations or reviews.
Labour Party justice spokesman Pat Rabbitte spoke of a "sickness" in society whereby, he said, "law-abiding citizens" were afraid of "marauding gangs" on the streets.
Four teenagers, one of them a 14-year-old girl, have been questioned by gardaí investigating the murders of the two Polish men on February 23rd, but no one has yet been charged.
Hundreds of people attended a vigil in Drimnagh in memory of the two men earlier this week, and more than 2,000 attended a Mass last night.