One in five farmers have been victims of crime

FARM organisations are calling for changes to trespassing laws after a new study shows that it is now the most common farm crime.

According to the CSO’s Crime and Victimisation Survey of the farming households surveyed, over a fifth (21pc) said that a crime or crimes had been committed against the farm in the 12 months prior to interview.

The crime most frequently reported was trespassing on farmland (18pc of farming respondents), while the next highest category of crime was the theft of farm machinery (2pc of farming respondents).

Commenting on the findings, the president of ICMSA Pat McCormack said he was not surprised by the CSO findings and it is consistent with the reports coming from ICMSA members.

“One particular growing worry of farmers is people trespassing on farmers’ land with dogs worrying livestock and causing stress, injury and fatalities amongst livestock and indeed threatening behaviour to landowners.

“This is a matter that needs to be addressed by the relevant authorities and legislation amended if necessary so that this matter can be addressed effectively,” he said.

IFA said it is extremely concerned with this level of trespass and said it’s vitally important the Occupiers Liability Act fully protects landowners. In its pre-Election submission IFA called for tougher laws on serious trespass and for a national Garda policy for the approach to handling both the victims and perpetrators of trespass and illegal hunting.

Former Fianna Fail Justice spokesperson Jim O’Callaghan had raised concerns over the law in relation to trespassing.

He said farmers find that when people trespass on their land, they have no remedy in the criminal law.

“When they contact members of An Garda Síochána, they are told that officers can only intervene if there is a threat to commit a criminal offence or if criminal damage has been done,” Deputy O’Callaghan said.

While there may be trespass-related provisions on the Statute Book, they are not being used by members of An Garda Síochána and they are not effective for farmers, the Fianna Fáil representative maintained.

“The type of remedy that farmers want is to be able to tell people trespassing on their land to leave and that there will be consequences if they do not do so. They want there to be consequences,” he said.