Ireland · checked 2026-10-26 · Medium confidence

Knife carry law in Republic of Ireland

Any knife or other blade or sharp-pointed article in a public place is an offence under s9 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990, with no 3-inch or folding-knife exemption. You must prove a good reason, lawful authority, work use or a recreational purpose. Flick knives need a reasonable excuse and cannot be sold or imported.

This summary rests on mostly official, partly secondary sources. Open questions are listed at the end. Treat anything marked unclear as a reason to leave the item at home.

How we apply the law

Rules are checked from the top. The first one that fits decides. Every verdict on this site comes from this list, not from hand typed cells.

1ProhibitedAny knife or tool, gravity or flick opening or automatic
Flick-knives (blade opens by button/spring/lever, or released by gravity/centrifugal force and locked open) and butterfly knives are on the Minister's s12 list: manufacture, sale, hire and import are offences. Carrying one in public is an offence unless you prove lawful authority or reasonable excuse.
Source
2UnclearAny knife or tool, spring assisted
The flick-knife definition covers a blade that 'opens when hand pressure is applied to a button, spring, lever or other device'. A spring-assisted knife may fall inside; no Irish case or Garda guidance found.
Source
3Reason neededA folding knife, a fixed blade, a multitool, a keychain tool or scissors only
s9 has no folding-knife, length or lock exemption: any knife or article with a blade or sharp point carried in public is an offence unless you prove good reason, lawful authority, work use or a recreational purpose. Burden is on you.
Source
4Reason neededAnything else
Anything with a blade or sharp point in a public place needs a proven good reason or other s9 defence.
Source

34 popular knives and tools, checked here

Specifications come from the makers. Where a maker does not publish the cutting edge length, a length rule can only be answered if even the full blade length falls on one side of the line. Otherwise the result is unclear, on purpose.

Product	Specs	Result
Kershaw Leek	blade 76.2 mm (3.00 in); cutting edge not published	Unclear Why The flick-knife definition covers a blade that 'opens when hand pressure is applied to a button, spring, lever or other device'. A spring-assisted knife may fall inside; no Irish case or Garda guidance found.
CRKT Squid Assisted	blade 60.2 mm (2.37 in); cutting edge not published	Unclear Why The flick-knife definition covers a blade that 'opens when hand pressure is applied to a button, spring, lever or other device'. A spring-assisted knife may fall inside; no Irish case or Garda guidance found.
Buck 110 Folding Hunter	blade 95.3 mm (3.75 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why s9 has no folding-knife, length or lock exemption: any knife or article with a blade or sharp point carried in public is an offence unless you prove good reason, lawful authority, work use or a recreational purpose. Burden is on you.
Leatherman Arc	blade 70.1 mm (2.76 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why s9 has no folding-knife, length or lock exemption: any knife or article with a blade or sharp point carried in public is an offence unless you prove good reason, lawful authority, work use or a recreational purpose. Burden is on you.
Benchmade Bugout	blade 82.3 mm (3.24 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why s9 has no folding-knife, length or lock exemption: any knife or article with a blade or sharp point carried in public is an offence unless you prove good reason, lawful authority, work use or a recreational purpose. Burden is on you.
Victorinox Cadet (Alox)	blade 64 mm (2.52 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why s9 has no folding-knife, length or lock exemption: any knife or article with a blade or sharp point carried in public is an offence unless you prove good reason, lawful authority, work use or a recreational purpose. Burden is on you.
Victorinox Classic SD	blade 40 mm (1.57 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why s9 has no folding-knife, length or lock exemption: any knife or article with a blade or sharp point carried in public is an offence unless you prove good reason, lawful authority, work use or a recreational purpose. Burden is on you.
Victorinox Climber	blade 67 mm (2.64 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why s9 has no folding-knife, length or lock exemption: any knife or article with a blade or sharp point carried in public is an offence unless you prove good reason, lawful authority, work use or a recreational purpose. Burden is on you.
Morakniv Companion (stainless, Hi-Vis Orange shown)	blade 104 mm (4.09 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why s9 has no folding-knife, length or lock exemption: any knife or article with a blade or sharp point carried in public is an offence unless you prove good reason, lawful authority, work use or a recreational purpose. Burden is on you.
Spyderco Delica 4 (Lightweight)	65 mm cutting edge (2.56 in)	Reason needed Why s9 has no folding-knife, length or lock exemption: any knife or article with a blade or sharp point carried in public is an offence unless you prove good reason, lawful authority, work use or a recreational purpose. Burden is on you.
Gerber Dime	blade 38.1 mm (1.50 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why s9 has no folding-knife, length or lock exemption: any knife or article with a blade or sharp point carried in public is an offence unless you prove good reason, lawful authority, work use or a recreational purpose. Burden is on you.
CIVIVI Elementum	blade 75.2 mm (2.96 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why s9 has no folding-knife, length or lock exemption: any knife or article with a blade or sharp point carried in public is an offence unless you prove good reason, lawful authority, work use or a recreational purpose. Burden is on you.
Nagao Kanekoma Higonokami SK (Niwaki-sold Kanekoma)	blade 71 mm (2.80 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why s9 has no folding-knife, length or lock exemption: any knife or article with a blade or sharp point carried in public is an offence unless you prove good reason, lawful authority, work use or a recreational purpose. Burden is on you.
Victorinox Huntsman	blade 67 mm (2.64 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why s9 has no folding-knife, length or lock exemption: any knife or article with a blade or sharp point carried in public is an offence unless you prove good reason, lawful authority, work use or a recreational purpose. Burden is on you.
ESEE Izula-II	blade 66.8 mm (2.63 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why s9 has no folding-knife, length or lock exemption: any knife or article with a blade or sharp point carried in public is an offence unless you prove good reason, lawful authority, work use or a recreational purpose. Burden is on you.
Spyderco Ladybug 3	43 mm cutting edge (1.69 in)	Reason needed Why s9 has no folding-knife, length or lock exemption: any knife or article with a blade or sharp point carried in public is an offence unless you prove good reason, lawful authority, work use or a recreational purpose. Burden is on you.
Leatherman Micra	blade 40.6 mm (1.60 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why s9 has no folding-knife, length or lock exemption: any knife or article with a blade or sharp point carried in public is an offence unless you prove good reason, lawful authority, work use or a recreational purpose. Burden is on you.
Benchmade Mini Bugout	blade 71.6 mm (2.82 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why s9 has no folding-knife, length or lock exemption: any knife or article with a blade or sharp point carried in public is an offence unless you prove good reason, lawful authority, work use or a recreational purpose. Burden is on you.
W.R. Case & Sons Mini Trapper	blade 69.9 mm (2.75 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why s9 has no folding-knife, length or lock exemption: any knife or article with a blade or sharp point carried in public is an offence unless you prove good reason, lawful authority, work use or a recreational purpose. Burden is on you.
Opinel No.07 Stainless Steel	blade 80 mm (3.15 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why s9 has no folding-knife, length or lock exemption: any knife or article with a blade or sharp point carried in public is an offence unless you prove good reason, lawful authority, work use or a recreational purpose. Burden is on you.
Opinel No.08 Stainless Steel	blade 85 mm (3.35 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why s9 has no folding-knife, length or lock exemption: any knife or article with a blade or sharp point carried in public is an offence unless you prove good reason, lawful authority, work use or a recreational purpose. Burden is on you.
Spyderco Para 3	67 mm cutting edge (2.64 in)	Reason needed Why s9 has no folding-knife, length or lock exemption: any knife or article with a blade or sharp point carried in public is an offence unless you prove good reason, lawful authority, work use or a recreational purpose. Burden is on you.
Gerber Paraframe I (stainless, plain edge)	blade 76.5 mm (3.01 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why s9 has no folding-knife, length or lock exemption: any knife or article with a blade or sharp point carried in public is an offence unless you prove good reason, lawful authority, work use or a recreational purpose. Burden is on you.
Ontario Knife Company RAT Model 1 (RAT I)	blade 88.9 mm (3.50 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why s9 has no folding-knife, length or lock exemption: any knife or article with a blade or sharp point carried in public is an offence unless you prove good reason, lawful authority, work use or a recreational purpose. Burden is on you.
Spyderco Roadie	44 mm cutting edge (1.73 in)	Reason needed Why s9 has no folding-knife, length or lock exemption: any knife or article with a blade or sharp point carried in public is an offence unless you prove good reason, lawful authority, work use or a recreational purpose. Burden is on you.
Leatherman Skeletool CX	blade 66 mm (2.60 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why s9 has no folding-knife, length or lock exemption: any knife or article with a blade or sharp point carried in public is an offence unless you prove good reason, lawful authority, work use or a recreational purpose. Burden is on you.
Victorinox Spartan	blade 67 mm (2.64 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why s9 has no folding-knife, length or lock exemption: any knife or article with a blade or sharp point carried in public is an offence unless you prove good reason, lawful authority, work use or a recreational purpose. Burden is on you.
Spyderco Squeak	44 mm cutting edge (1.73 in)	Reason needed Why s9 has no folding-knife, length or lock exemption: any knife or article with a blade or sharp point carried in public is an offence unless you prove good reason, lawful authority, work use or a recreational purpose. Burden is on you.
CRKT Squid (Thumbstud)	blade 54.76 mm (2.16 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why s9 has no folding-knife, length or lock exemption: any knife or article with a blade or sharp point carried in public is an offence unless you prove good reason, lawful authority, work use or a recreational purpose. Burden is on you.
Leatherman Squirt PS4	blade 40.6 mm (1.60 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why s9 has no folding-knife, length or lock exemption: any knife or article with a blade or sharp point carried in public is an offence unless you prove good reason, lawful authority, work use or a recreational purpose. Burden is on you.
Victorinox Swiss Card Classic	blade length not published	Reason needed Why s9 has no folding-knife, length or lock exemption: any knife or article with a blade or sharp point carried in public is an offence unless you prove good reason, lawful authority, work use or a recreational purpose. Burden is on you.
Victorinox SwissTool Spirit X	blade length not published	Reason needed Why s9 has no folding-knife, length or lock exemption: any knife or article with a blade or sharp point carried in public is an offence unless you prove good reason, lawful authority, work use or a recreational purpose. Burden is on you.
W.R. Case & Sons Trapper	76.2 mm cutting edge (3.00 in)	Reason needed Why s9 has no folding-knife, length or lock exemption: any knife or article with a blade or sharp point carried in public is an offence unless you prove good reason, lawful authority, work use or a recreational purpose. Burden is on you.
Leatherman Wave Plus	blade 74.2 mm (2.92 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why s9 has no folding-knife, length or lock exemption: any knife or article with a blade or sharp point carried in public is an offence unless you prove good reason, lawful authority, work use or a recreational purpose. Burden is on you.

What the verdict does not cover

Public transport and restricted zones: s9(8) expressly includes trains, ships and public-hire vehicles. s10 separately makes it an offence to trespass with a knife or weapon. Airports: not checked for Irish airports.
Schools, workplaces and events: No separate school or event offence was read; school grounds open to the public would be public places and are typically governed by school rules. Work use is a statutory defence (s9(3)) but must be proved.
In a vehicle: 'Public place' includes any highway, anywhere the public may enter (paid or not), club premises, and any train, vessel or vehicle used for carrying people for reward (s9(8)), so buses, taxis and trains count. A private car's status and the meaning of 'has with him' were not covered by sources read.
Age limits: Citizens Information: 'There is no set minimum age at which you can own a knife'; it is still an offence to have one in public without good reason. Sales to minors: no statutory age limit found in sources read.
Buying and importing: No licence for ordinary knives found; We did not locate an Irish primary source on online purchase or import of ordinary knives. Import of listed weapons (flick-knives, knuckledusters, etc.) is prohibited (s12(6)); the list is in the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990 (Offensive Weapons) Order 1991 (S.I. 66/1991) as amended in 2009.
Penalties: s9(1): on summary conviction a fine up to €5,000 and/or 12 months; on indictment a fine and/or up to 5 years (revised Act, updated to 30 Sep 2024, and 2025 Dáil answer). Possession with intent (s9(5)), trespass with a knife (s10) and producing a knife (s11) rose from 5 to 7 years, and s12 offences (manufacture, import, sale) from 7 to 10 years, from September 2024.
Recent changes: 23 Jul 2024: Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024 raised several knife penalties; Part 9 commenced Sep 2024 (S.I. 478/2024). The simple-possession maximum in s9(1) stayed at 5 years.
Pending changes: The Minister said in 2025 that a Garda Síochána (Powers) Bill would include stop-and-search powers for suspected knife possession; its status in October 2026 was not checked. Any change after the 30 Sep 2024 revised-Act date was not checked against the statute book.

Reasons the authorities have accepted

Use at work (statutory defence s9(3))
Recreational purpose, e.g. fishing, camping or angling (statutory defence s9(3))
Good reason or lawful authority generally (s9(2)); no list in the Act, so the court decides each case

Sources

Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990 s9 (revised, updated to 30 Sep 2024)
“where a person has with him in any public place any knife or any other article which has a blade or which is sharply pointed, he shall be guilty of an offence.”
Dáil answer 2 July 2025 (Minister for Justice): maximum penalty and 2024 changes
“the maximum penalty for possessing a knife in a public place, without good reason or lawful authority, of five years.”
Department of Justice press release on knife penalties
Citizens Information: children and rights (knives)

What we could not confirm

The task named the 'Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1990 s9 and 1997'. The correct statute is the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990 s9. The 2009 Act (s39) set the current penalty; We did not verify a 1997 amendment.
We did not check for changes to s9 after the 30 Sep 2024 revised version.
No Irish case law on 'good reason' (e.g. everyday pocketknife, Swiss Army knife, multitool) was found; those items are treated as inside s9 on the text.
Irish rules for online purchase or import of ordinary knives and for schools were not verified.
The 1991 Order was read; the 2009 amendment was not fully read.

Keep going

General information, not legal advice. Know something we got wrong? Tell us and include a source.