On Tuesday night, more than 500 people turned out to the Knightsbrook Hotel in Trim, Co Meath, for the latest in a series of rural crime meetings taking place across the country and organised by the Save our Local Communities campaign. This meeting follows a similar one held in Thurles last month that drew more 2,000 people, highlighting just how big an issue rural crime is for people.

With senior management from An Garda Síochána in attendance, the meeting gave people from Louth, Meath, Cavan, Monaghan and Westmeath a chance to air their concerns about rural crime and share some of their own experiences.

Some of the main frustrations aired on the night by people were the lack of resources afforded to the Gardaí as well as what many people perceive to be outdated laws for dealing with modern criminals. One of the biggest issues for people in Trim on Tuesday night were the judiciary, with the general feeling that they are far too lenient on criminals, particularly repeat offenders.

Three burglaries in 20 years

As one man said on the night: “Every dog deserves his first bite, but he certainly doesn’t deserve a second.” Another man spoke about how his premises had been burgled three times in the last 20 years. On the last occasion, the Gardaí were aware of who the perpetrators were but could only allow them to continue offending until they eventually apprehended them in the act a couple of months later.

A farm contractor also spoke of how over €12,000 worth of tractor parts had been stolen from his machinery in the past year. He added that, on one occasion, he came across the thieves in the act and was subsequently attacked by them with a wheel brace.

Dozens more people on the night recounted stories of their experience of rural crime. While some recollections are often harrowing, meetings like these, organised by the Save our Local Communities organisation, give people the forum to come together and feel they are not facing this problem alone.