Senior garda denies knife 'epidemic'

A SENIOR garda has said he does not believe there is an “epidemic” in relation to knife-carrying, but appealed to the public …

A SENIOR garda has said he does not believe there is an “epidemic” in relation to knife-carrying, but appealed to the public to pass on information about people carrying knives to gardaí.

Supt Michael Murray, acting chief superintendent for the Mayo Garda division, was commenting after knife attacks in three south Mayo towns in the last week left one man dead and a young garda and three men hospitalised.

Two men have been charged over attacks in Kiltimagh and Westport, but investigations are continuing into two knife attacks in Ballinrobe on Sunday morning.

Supt Murray told Mid-West Radio yesterday: “We have adequate powers to deal with it, and we will deal with it.”