Knives and pepper spray in Ireland (2026)
Last reviewed: 13 October 2026
In short: Having any knife or article with a blade or sharp point in a public place is an offence in Ireland unless the carrier proves good reason or lawful authority, with no exception for short or folding knives. Flick-knives and articles made to injure are separate offences, and a weapon designed to discharge a noxious liquid is a prohibited weapon (a firearm).
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Folding pocket knivesCarrying in public places | A folding knife is covered like any other knife or bladed article: having it in a public place is an offence unless the carrier proves good reason or lawful authority, including use at work or for a recreational purpose. The section has no exception for short or non-locking folding knives. [1] |
| Locking or one-handed knivesCarrying in public places | Section 9 does not use locking or one-handed opening as a criterion for ordinary knives. A flick-knife (blade opened by a button, spring, lever or similar device, or released by gravity or centrifugal force and locked open) is separately an offence to have in public without lawful authority or reasonable excuse. [1] |
| Fixed-blade knivesCarrying in public places | Any article with a blade or sharp point is covered. Having one in a public place is an offence unless the carrier proves good reason or lawful authority, including use at work or for a recreational purpose. [1] |
| Pepper sprayCarrying in public places | Pepper spray is not named in the provisions read. A weapon designed for the discharge of any noxious liquid, noxious gas or other noxious thing is a prohibited weapon and counts as a firearm; possessing a firearm without a firearm certificate is an offence. Separately, having in public any article made or adapted to injure or incapacitate a person is an offence without lawful authority or reasonable excuse. [2] |
| Exceptions and legitimate reasonsCarrying in public places | A person charged under section 9(1) has a defence if they prove good reason or lawful authority, including having the article for use at work or for a recreational purpose. For flick-knives and articles made or adapted to injure, the defence is lawful authority or reasonable excuse, which the carrier must prove. [1] |
| Automatic (switchblade) knivesCarrying in public places | Having a flick-knife in a public place without lawful authority or reasonable excuse is an offence. The definition covers knives whose blade opens by a button, spring, lever or other device, or is released by gravity or centrifugal force and locked open. [1] |
| Blade length limitsCarrying in public places | Section 9 sets no blade-length limit. Any knife or article with a blade or sharp point is covered, whatever its size, unless the carrier proves good reason or lawful authority. [1] |
| Pepper spray: size and age limitsCarrying in public places | ⚠ Not yet verified |
Notes
- Section 9(1) covers any knife or other article with a blade or sharp point carried in a public place, which includes highways and places the public may access, clubs and public transport. Penalty: up to EUR 5,000 or 12 months on summary conviction, or up to 5 years on indictment.
- Whether a particular spray product falls within these definitions was not checked in case law or Garda guidance.
Sources
- Law Reform Commission (Revised Acts): Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990, section 9: Possession of knives and other articles (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
- Law Reform Commission (Revised Acts): Firearms Act 1925, section 1: Interpretation (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.