IFA say more than 2,500 farm crimes occurred in the first half of last year

The Irish Farmers Association has said there were more than 2,500 reported crimes affecting farm families in the first half of last year.

It said these figures are based on its analysis of CSO data and represent a "considerable underreporting" of the real level of rural crime.

IFA President Eddie Downey told an Oireachtas Committee yesterday the figures include 1,720 instances of farm machinery theft and 280 burglaries of farm houses.

Colin Connolly, Rural Crime Prevention Executive with the IFA and former Garda, has siad they are concerned at the underreporting of crimes: “The one thing that is coming back from our members on the ground is the area of under-reporting of un-reporting of crime.

“I think this is happening in areas where people feel it is not an overly expensive item but for the farm could be a very important item, I don’t think they feel the importance of reporting it but we want to stress to people and encourage people to report these things to the Garda Síochana.”

The Irish Farmers Association is encouraging people not to buy goods they suspect are stolen.

Former Garda Colin Connolly is Rural Crime Prevention Executive with the IFA, he has said there are reports of stolen equipment being sold at markets around the country: "Every weekend across the country there are various different markets and whilst there are a number of genuine traders at these markets, there are a number of bogus traders at these markets too.

“And it is quite obvious that it has been explained to us that if you attend these markets quite early in the morning there are equipment and machinery and tools for sale at prices that are very very keen, we are encouraging people I suppose to look at these carefully and if the price is too good to be true, it is too good.”