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An increased Garda visibility in rural areas is needed to tackle rural crime, according to IFA deputy president Richard Kennedy.
Speaking on the Ivan Yates radio show on Newstalk Kennedy said: “My advocation and the advocation of the IFA is greater visibility of the gardaí in rural areas and also sentencing and bail need to be looked at."
Gardaí need to be visible in local communities
“I’m talking about gardaí being in the community, and it doesn’t matter if that’s in a community centre or a Garda station.
“Gardaí need to be visible in local communities. In terms of making people feel more secure at home you need that local connection.”
There are roughly 15,000 active gardaí in Ireland and, despite more farmers qualifying recently, many farmers believe that the issue of rural crime is getting worse.
On the issue of the right to bear arms against an intruder, Kennedy drew the line at permitting people to be entitled to use a gun, taser or pepper spray and reiterated that a gun should only be used in extreme cases for self-protection.
Kennedy stressed that a gun should only be used: “In extreme circumstances, where people are in isolation and they have no other way of protecting themselves.”
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