Concerns about rural crime were raised with Minister for Justice Alan Shatter when the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) met him earlier today.
IFA president John Bryan said he had sought a clear commitment that Garda mobile units would be increased to reassure people living in rural communities.
“Minister Shatter acknowledged the genuine concerns raised by IFA, and pledged to intensify a number of Garda initiatives aimed at curbing criminals who move into an area and target vulnerable people,” he said.
Mr Bryan said the minister had also agreed to set up a meeting between IFA and Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan to develop proposals aimed at tackling the problem.
“Our members across the country are extremely concerned by the vicious nature of some attacks on people living in the countryside in recent months. This is borne out in a survey of IFA members which found that almost 40 per cent of members feel less secure in their own homes.”
Mr Bryan said there was a clear need for a single national texting initiative which would allow rural communities to report and log suspicious activity onto the Garda Pulse System. “This can allow the Gardaí respond in the quickest time possible,” he said.
