Almost one in every five Irish farms experienced trespassing in 2019, a survey from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) has shown.

Trespassing on land was the most frequently reported farm crime in 2019, relating to 18% of farming respondents who took part in the CSO’s crime and victimisation survey.

Over a fifth (21%) of the farming households surveyed said that a crime or crimes had been committed against the farm in the 12 months prior to being interviewed.

Some 2% of those surveyed reported theft of farm machinery

Farming households were asked a series of questions relating to their experience of crimes specific to farms.

Some 2% of those surveyed reported theft of farm machinery, while other thefts and interference with livestock were reported by 1% of the respondents.

Thefts of farm vehicles were reported by 0.5% of those who responded.