Since 2010, over 28,642 farm-related crime incidents have been reported to gardaí, including burglaries and vehicle, machinery and equipment theft, according to the CSO figures up to March 2016.

The most common incidents are thefts from farmyards, with over 2,000 incidents being reported every year since 2010.

While personal stories are poignant and tell us about the psychological impact of rural crime, statistical breakdown can give a proper evaluation of just how rife the problem is.

Rural crime has become a buzz word for all things evil in recent times. Not a week goes by where the mainstream media doesn’t report on it.

With a better road network, greater organisation by gangs and the vast rural countryside of Ireland, crime in the most rural parts of Ireland is as prevalent as ever.

The introduction of Operation Thor in November 2015 gave gardaí a targeted approach to dealing with crime. The initiative was welcomed and while the biggest results have been seen in the Dublin city region, rural gangs have also been targeted.

In this Focus, we get reaction from a farmer whose life has been radically changed in the aftermath of rural crime. The mental toll that each farmer suffers after an event is outlined by a professional who deals on a regular basis with those coming to terms with the implications of the events, while Daniel Mc Parlin talks with the heads of farming organisations on how best to deal with this plague.

Alison Sinnott speaks with security companies on different products that farmer could invest in that will aid the protection of their farmyards.

Rural crime has cost farmers in Ireland an estimated €2.4m a year. The hidden costs come in the way of sleep loss, depression and anxiety. Therefore putting a true value on rural crime is almost impossible.

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