THE IRISH Farmers’ Association has called on Garda management to ensure there is a visible policing presence in rural areas to deter potential criminals following an attack in which an elderly farmer suffered a serious stab wound.
The chairman of IFA Countryside, Eddie Downey, said the attack on the farmer near Crookstown in Co Cork over the weekend highlighted the dangers for people living on their own in rural areas.
“There must be strong sanctions against intruders who inflict physical harm on people in their own homes. Preying on rural dwellers who are vulnerable is despicable and cowardly, and these actions should be severely punished as a deterrent to others.”
Mr Downey urged neighbours to be alert and to contact the Garda if they notice any suspicious activity as there were “unfortunately who will seek to exploit those who live in remote areas. People living in these communities must be vigilant and watch out for their neighbours and I would appeal to Garda management to ensure that policing of rural areas is as visible as possible,” he said.
Mr Downey was speaking after the farmer returned home from checking on cattle at 11.30pm last Friday to discover an intruder in his home. When he challenged the intruder, the man stabbed him in the back.
The farmer’s wife and two adult daughters were upstairs at the time and, on hearing the disturbance, came downstairs where they discovered the farmer still struggling with the intruder despite being wounded.
The three women, assisted by the farmer, managed to force the intruder from the house and lock him out before calling the emergency services. The farmer was taken by ambulance to Cork University Hospital. It is understood that he suffered a deep stab wound that punctured a lung, and he was lucky to survive. He underwent surgery and was yesterday described as stable.
Gardaí arrested a 28-year-old man from Cork city not far from the scene and brought him to Macroom Garda station where he was questioned for more than 24 hours before being released without charge. A file will now be prepared for the DPP.
In a separate incident in Co Westmeath, a Garda manhunt was started yesterday after an officer was assaulted during a foiled burglary. Four culprits, three men and a woman, were wearing gloves, hoodies and balaclavas when they tried to burgle a house at Stoneyford Park in Delvin at 3.30am yesterday.
Gardaí were called and arrived a short time later. A “violent confrontation” then took place and the female garda was assaulted.
When their vehicle failed to start, the gang tried to steal a Garda car. A short distance away, they tried to hijack another vehicle driven by a young woman before making their escape on foot. People were urged to remain vigilant yesterday as gardaí, supported by the Garda helicopter, armed response unit and a Garda dog unit formed a cordon and searched the area.
A spokesman said the assaulted garda was not seriously injured.