Legislation already exists to prosecute people for using samurai swords, but there are no plans to ban their purchase, the Government said last night.
Under the 1990 Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, it is illegal to manufacture, import, hire or lend certain types of knives, including flick knives.
However, while a statutory order issued subsequently makes the use of weapons such as samurai swords illegal, it does not specifically outlaw their sale.
Speaking this week after a number of incidents involving samurai swords, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform said it was keeping the matter "under constant review, however, there are no plans to legislate at present".
Under the Act, flick knives and specified offensive weapons are prohibited and it is an offence for any person, irrespective of age, to manufacture, import, sell, hire or loan such weapons, but samurai swords are not included.
Any person found guilty of such offences is liable on conviction to a fine of up to €1,270 or imprisonment for a term of up to five years or both.
Fine Gael TD Charlie Flanagan said the sale of the swords should be banned following recent attacks which left one man in Cork seriously injured.
"Samurai swords can be bought on the internet and shipped into Ireland for as little as €60. There is no prohibition on these weapons which can be used for lethal purposes. Although a small number of individuals and martial artists collect samurai swords, it is simply too dangerous to allow them to be circulated freely," said Mr Flanagan.
