Irish Farmers Association calls for stricter sentencing to tackle rural crime

The Irish Farmers Association has challenged Irish political parties to commit to stricter sentences and law enforcement to tackle rural crime.

In a submission to political parties and Dáil candidates, the IFA called for the development of electronic tagging and monitoring procedures to address “the areas of detention, restriction and surveillance of repeat criminal offenders”.

It also called for increased An Garda Síochána policing hours and the enforcement by the Department of the Environment of scrap metal legislation enacted in 2014, so that criminals “who steal from rural dwellers” are prosecuted.

IFA national chairman Jer Bergin said: “IFA will work to ensure that politicians and political parties establish policies that promise a real and positive impact on agriculture and rural Ireland.

“We expect firm commitments from all parties that they will undertake actions to support agriculture, put the sustainable and profitable growth of family farming to the fore and prioritise the rejuvenation of rural Ireland as an essential element of economic recovery.

“Crucially, when a new Government is in place, they must make good on their election promises on agriculture as an utmost priority – IFA will be holding them to account on their commitments in any Programme for Government throughout 2016 and beyond.”