THE IRISH Farmers’ Association has called for the enactment of the Criminal Law (Defence and the Dwelling) Bill published last year. It was published in July 2010, and the IFA want it passed into law by the Dáil and strengthened.
In a new policy paper on rural Ireland, the association has sought changes to the Bill to allow the use of “justifiable force against an intruder” and argues the existing legislation is inadequate.
It is also seeking to ensure that under the Bill the homeowner must not be “liable for any criminal charges in respect of any injury, loss or damage arising from such force”.
The IFA said the increase in value of materials such as copper had resulted in a rise in the number of robberies. “The Government must develop a strategy for monitoring the sale of scrap metal to ensure that only legitimate products are traded and to reduce the theft of metal from farmyards and out-farms.”
It is also seeking an extension of the Seniors Alert scheme which provides financial support to older people for the use of personal pendant alarms.
It wants the restablishment of the National Crime Council and a reinvigorated Community Alert programme as operated by Muintir na Tire.
The policy document says “rural Ireland remains a relatively safe place in which to live and work”.
“However, of growing concern is the nature of the crimes being carried out and the threat to families from intruders in the family home.
“The existing legislation is inadequate and does not provide sufficient rights to homeowners to protect their homes from intruders when using reasonable means.”