Farm safety, security and wellbeing event set for Kilmallock Mart

Keeping both farmer and farm safe is the theme of a Garda organised event taking place in Kilmallock Mart alongside its sale on bank holiday Monday.

The event will take place on Monday 27 October from 11am to 3pm, with both farm safety and security, as well as wellbeing, on the agenda.

Practical advice on farm security, community wellbeing, rural safety and property marking will be on offer from Limerick county community engagement Gardaí and Limerick’s crime prevention officer.

Gardaí will be available to answer questions from attendees.

The event will take place alongside a sale, with three rings in action in Kilmallock on bank holiday Monday.

Ring one will host weanlings and bullocks; ring two runners; and ring three dry cows, bulls, sucklers and dairy heifers.

Garda rural crime lead

The farm safety and security event comes as superintendent Michael Corbett has been appointed by An Garda Síochána as its first-ever rural crime lead, a move which has been warmly welcomed by the farm organisations.

Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal this week, superintendent Corbett said farmers should not confront intruders or trespassers on their property, they should focus on preventing thefts and that drugs are a major factor in rural crime.