Group calls for national debate on knife crime
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A VICTIMS' group has called for a national debate on knife crime in the wake of James Joyce's killing.
Mr Joyce is believed to be the 11th stabbing victim in Ireland this year.
A spokesperson for AdVic, a group which supports families who lose relatives in violent circumstances, said that while the group couldn't comment on cases already before the courts, the use of knives generally has to be addressed by the public at large.
The spokesperson said: 'We have to try to figure out why people are armed with knives.
'We know there is legislation which makes carrying a knife an offence, but that's usually only brought to light after they have used it.
'I think a debate is needed as we need to find out the reasons why people, especially young men, resort to violence.
'There appears to be a violence in people that wasn't there a generation ago. And we need to get to the bottom of it.'
The spokesperson said the relatives of those who are killed in violent incidents are often left to pick up the pieces on their own.
She said: 'The effect of a violent death on a family is shattering, devastating and catastrophic. Families who lose someone violently are effectively given a life sentence'.
- Anne CAMPBELL
