Central Criminal Court judge Paul Carney has said the incidence of fatal stabbings in this country has increased exponentially and is now out of control.
Speaking in Cork, Mr Justice Carney pointed out that the average sentence actually being served by offenders for fatal stabbings is four-and-a-half years.
He quoted victims' groups who have complained that such sentences are too lenient, although he stressed that it was not for him to call for a re-assessment of sentencing.
Mr Justice Carney, Ireland's most senior criminal court judge and Adjunct Professor of Law at University College Cork, made his remarks while delivering a lecture to the college's law faculty.
He quoted statements by Victims' group Advic that sentencing judges are being rendered powerless in their courts by the Court of Criminal Appeal.
He also quoted the organisation's claim that the courts are disconnected from the public they serve, particularly in sentencing offenders in cases of fatal stabbings.
Mr Justice Carney pointed out that decisions of higher courts are binding on him.
