Farmers are increasingly “nervous” amid fears that rural crime is on the rise.

According to a survey carried out by the Irish Farmers’ Association and TU Dublin, 55% of farmers who got in touch said they were victims of theft. 

“It’s always happening,” one Tipperary farmer told Newstalk. 

“It’s going on constantly; when criminals are caught then they’ll have to be appropriately sentenced.” 

Aidan Quigley, who farms in Clonmel, said preventing rural theft is difficult. 

“There’s a lot more people working on their own,” he said.

“People try to secure [their things] as best they can but there’s only so much you can do and stuff will get taken if somebody comes onto your farm. 

“People are nervous and it does affect people - they kind of go into themselves a bit, I’d say.” 

Farmers Using Tractors To Make Silage; Farming (Credit Image: © The Irish Image Collection/Design Pics via ZUMA Wire)

60% of respondents believe Gardaí should have a dedicated unit to deal with rural crime and independent TD Mattie McGrath feels more could be done to tackle the issue.

“[It’s the] same old, same old,” he said. 

“You haven’t the numbers of Gardaí.” 

Of those who were burgled, 71% reported it to Gardaí and 29% decided not to.

Main image: An unhappy farmer. Picture by: Alamy.com