KNIFE killings have increased by almost 60% this year despite a government awareness campaign about the danger of knives.

Figures released to Fine Gael justice spokesman Charlie Flanagan show that there have been 19 fatal stabbings this year compared to just 12 in 2008. In a letter to Flanagan, justice minister Dermot Ahern said that, as of 14 October this year, there had been 1,262 violent incidents this year involving knives.

"There has been a 58% surge in knife homicides this year. The tragic and senseless death in Arklow recently of John Deasy has left another family without a husband and father. It is a terrible loss and desperate trauma for his family and friends," Flanagan said.

"The notion that knife crime is limited to urban areas has long since proven to be a myth. It is now a nationwide scourge. The legislation designed to combat the increasing levels of knife crime is not being implemented and at current rates the number of knife-crime incidents will have passed 1,500 by the end of the year."

Dermot Ahern has said tackling knife crime is a top priority. The Criminal Justice Miscellaneous Provisions Act, passed into law this summer, increased the maximum jail sentence for possession of a knife from one to five years and expanded garda powers to search people suspected of carrying knives. It is too early to determine the effectiveness of the legislation.

In January, Ahern and garda commissioner Fachtna Murphy launched the 'How Big Do You Feel?' campaign aimed at young people carrying blades. It followed four fatal stabbings over Christmas. Flanagan said the minister's campaign was a failure.

"There are 170,000 18- to 20-year-olds in Ireland. They are particularly vulnerable as victims and perpetrators of knife offences. Already this year 19 people have died, despite the minister's much- hyped online campaign to raise awareness on knife crime which has been a complete failure," he said.