Sir, – Further to your columnist John McManus’s “Rural crime is about jobs not Garda stations or the bail laws” (Opinion & Analysis, October 8th), when I was growing up in rural Co Sligo, there was widespread unemployment, but burglaries, break-ins, robbery and crime were unheard of.
People never locked their doors at night. There was no need to. Today, people, especially those in rural areas, live in terror, not just of burglary but of its associated, unspeakable violence perpetrated by gangs of criminals who leave their unfortunate victims maimed or traumatised for life.
One doesn’t need a doctoral study from Michigan to know that as employment increases, crime perforce decreases.
But it is painfully clear that the closure of rural Garda stations, and the subsequent lack of Garda presence has resulted in a dramatic increase in break-ins, with violence carried out by marauding gangs of thugs, fuelled by their need for alcohol and drugs.
These serial criminals have invariably already got away with minimal or derisory jail sentences, and consequently have no fear of or respect for authority, law and order.
An immediate solution to this appalling and terrifying situation is both more jobs and more gardaí on the beat, but the root of the problem must be addressed through the education and training of youths from dysfunctional and broken families, where good example and discipline are wholly wanting, and who resort to violence as a way of life.
Obviously a Garda presence in rural areas would give peace of mind, reassurance and comfort to country dwellers, especially to the elderly. – Yours, etc,
VERA HUGHES,
Moate, Co Westmeath.