The Minister for Justice, Jim O'Callaghan has said that tackling rural crime presents greater challenges because, "in many instances, its victims are not located closely to a garda station".

The lack of gardaí in rural areas was raised several times in a debate about policing and community safety in the Dáil yesterday (Tuesday, March 4).

According to Sinn Féin TD for Roscommon-Galway, Claire Kerrane, the number of burglaries in rural areas of her constituency is rising all the time.

"Garda numbers are falling and continue to fall across Roscommon and Galway. There is a lack of visibility across all of our rural towns and this is leading to a dramatic rise in antisocial behaviour," she said.

The TD called on the Minister for Justice to provide a specific policing plan for rural Ireland, and to prioritise areas where garda stations have closed and where garda numbers are down.

The number of burglaries in rural areas was also raised by Fianna Fáil TD for Tipperary North, Ryan O'Meara.

Deputy O'Meara highlighted that the government has committed to training 5,000 gardaí throughout its term in government.

"On rural garda numbers, I might give the case of Cloughjordan, where a spate of robberies recently took place. In one case, gardaí had to come from Birr [Co. Offaly], which seems completely unacceptable," he said.

Fianna Fáil TD for Meath West, Aisling Dempsey asked Minister O'Callaghan not to automatically send new gardaí to high-crime areas.

Deputy Dempsey said that the government cannot let "rural entrepreneurs be preyed upon by opportunistic criminals".

"Places like Meath West, with an increased Garda presence now, will come back from the brink of high crime rates. It is a preventative measure, if you will. This means feet on the street, more community gardaí, and rural stations to be manned again," she said.