Rural watch’ needed: TD

The possibility of introducing a farm watch scheme to help combat rural crime has been raised in the Dáil.

Cork East Fine Gael TD David Stanton said such schemes operate in parts of Britain in partnership with farmers to tackle crime, including the theft of agricultural equipment and livestock.

In a written reply, Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald said the detail of crime prevention measures, such as the British farm watch example, is a matter for the gardaí in the first instance.