Fearful farmer forced to pay €83k to gang

A farmer living alone in an isolated area who felt threatened and intimidated handed over €83,000 to individuals who have been calling to his property over the last number of years, the High Court has heard.

The revelation prompted the Irish Farmers Association’s crime prevention officer to call for divisional units of the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) and for possible changes to legislation to grant greater protection to people living in isolated rural areas.

James Richard Hodgins, whose farm is 6km outside Roscrea in Co Tipperary, yesterday secured a number of temporary injunctions preventing 15 named men and two women, whom he claims have left him in fear for himself and his property, coming near him or his farm.