Government urged to support new Bill tackling rural crime

AS GARDAI continue to tackle rural crime through Operation Thor and other measures, the Fianna Fail party this week has published a new Bill in a bid to further assist in apprehending gangs causing rural terror. 

Last week, over 20 arrests were made in Limerick as part of the new operation. 

Limerick TD and Fianna Fáil Justice Spokesperson Niall Collins has published a new Bill designed to help catch mobile criminal gangs which, if introduced, will set up CCTV cameras at all major road junctions in order to assist Gardai in identifying and apprehending criminal gangs using the motorway network.

The Bill will be debated by the Dáil in the coming months but requires Government support for it to come into law.

“It’s becoming increasingly clear that organised mobile gangs are using the motorway network to travel from cities to rural areas where they carry out horrific criminal acts. This needs to be stopped and what we are proposing will help achieve this.

“There are a small group of thugs who are exploiting the motorway network to target elderly people who are living alone. Additional resources are needed for the Gardai to help tackle rural crime and the legislation we are proposing will provide immediate additional support to Gardai already on the ground.

“The 8 per cent national increase in burglaries is creating a reign of fear in homes across rural Ireland”, added Deputy Collins who urged that the Government support the bill when it comes to the Dáil floor for debate.