The Irish Sun has launched a new campaign to fight knife crime amid an alarming rise in stabbings in Ireland this year.

The Knives Costs Lives campaign calls for control on the sale of dangerous hunting knives, tougher punishments, community education programmes and aims to give a voice to victims.

It was kicked off on Monday with an exclusive interview with Jenny O’Reilly, whose son Lorcan was stabbed to death.

The paper’s Crime Editor Stephen Breen then told his own story of personal loss – the murder of his father at the hands of a knifeman.

Irish Sun Editor Kieran McDaid said: “Stephen’s empathy for victims’ families sets his work apart and it was his passion that fuelled this campaign.

“By bravely stepping forward and opening up about his own loss, he is standing with those who have been affected by this tragic crime, and we, his colleagues, are proud to stand with him.

“This determination to campaign for change exemplifies what we are trying to do at the Irish Sun – speak up for victims, make a positive contribution to society and prevent more lives being lost.”

Read more https://www.thesun.ie/news/6565030/knife-seizures-gardai-children-statistics-knife-crime/