"One or two people in the local community are advising thieves when it comes to farm thefts". That's according to IFA Ulster/North Leinster Chairman, Frank Brady, who has been responding to a report on farm thefts that was published today by the organisation and TU Dublin.
Speaking to Northern Sound, Mr Brady said the closure of rural Garda stations means that people "have no where to go" when their property is stolen and as a result, local communities feel neglected by the State.
He says that farmers must attend property marking events when they take place locally so that if items are stolen and subsequently located, the Gardai will know where they came from. He added that cattle and sheep thefts are also common in the province of Ulster and along the border region.
"I dealt with a case two or three years ago and we were asked to go on a high-profile television programme, and the person whose animals were stolen felt it wouldn't be safe for him to go on TV.
"You have a certain amount of intimidation when it comes to animals and you have gangs that are being guided by certain people to where the angle grinder or welder or quad or small tractor is being left at night.
"The gangs are off then and those items are for sale a couple of weeks later at the markets," said Mr Brady.
