The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) has described the current level of illegal activities such as lurching, illegal hunting and trespass as “outrageous”.
Deputy president of the association, Alive Doyle said that reports coming in from all over the country have indicated a rise in these activities.
The association has said that farmers and landowners are “deeply concerned and worried” about their personal safety as a result of threats and assaults.
Doyle claimed that despite arrests and court appearances in some parts of the country, the number of groups and individuals going onto farms and lands has increased.
Illegal trespass
Alice Doyle has welcomed the joint approach by gardaí and National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) in carrying out operations, but stressed that this needs to be done on a structured and ongoing basis.
The IFA and other farming bodies are united in their approach in calling for a clamp down on these unlawful practices and for realistic fines and sentences for the crimes committed.
“We are calling for a dedicated campaign by relevant state bodies such as An Garda Siochána and the National Parks and Wildlife Service to tackle the gangs who act with apparent impunity, and for collaboration between various Rural Community Groups such as the members of the National Rural Safety Forum to come out to support the state agencies.”
The farm organisation has called for the establishment of a dedicated garda section/unit such as a Rural Safety Unit to coordinate patrols, monitor burglaries and share intelligence with other police forces.
Doyle outlined that Northern Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales have dedicated Rural Crime Leads to tackle the issue.
The deputy president said that Ireland has been targeted on three successive occasions in 2024 by these gangs with criminal damage to fences, buildings and vehicles leading to huge costs in repairs, replacements and insurance payouts.
In the lead up to the festive season and beyond, there has to be a high visibility approach by gardaí and strong deterrents to curb gangs and individuals from trespass, illegal hunting and intimidating and threatening people, according to the IFA.