Call For Subsidies For Farmers To Install CCTV To Tackle Rural Crime

An East Clare Councillor is calling on the Department of Agriculture to subsidise farmers who install CCTV as part of efforts to tackle rural crime.

It comes as the Irish Farmers Association has issued a call for a dedicated Rural Crime Taskforce to be established, as incidents of thefts from farms rise.

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This week’s meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice has heard about the significant jump in the level of crime on farms.

While thefts remain the most worrying threat, and account for the majority of crimes, more serious crimes have also been experienced in the east of the country, which have at times turned violent when the criminals are disturbed.

It’s led to calls from the IFA for the establishment of a dedicated Rural Crime Taskforce, to crack down on the problem.

Clare Chair of the IFA Willie Hanrahan believes something must change, saying nowhere is immune.

Maghera Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat Hayes, who is a farmer himself, is backing up that call.

He also wants to see a government subsidy introduced for farmers to install CCTV on their land, to put their minds at ease, particularly in light of the closure of rural Garda stations.