Michael Corbett

Yes, David.

Well, I suppose the role, there's a number of aspects to the role.

Firstly, the role focuses on ensuring that we have a collaborative approach between a Garda Síochána, local authorities, farming organisations, government departments and rural communities in relation to the whole area of rural crime.

So basically, I'm the primary contact for any of the rural organisations that are raising issues in relation to the area of rural crime.

Secondly, I suppose promoting crime prevention awareness is a very big part of my role.

And also, I suppose, keeping a spotlight on rural crime.

And I think that's very important that, you know, rural communities have a voice at the policing table when it comes to allocation of resources and, you know, what the issues are.

And at least in my role, I'm able to, I suppose, bring those to our senior management as regards what is happening in rural Ireland, what the challenges are.

And, you know, the communities out there, what their fears and issues are.

And I suppose finally then liaising with other rural crime leads in other police jurisdictions is also very important.

I link in with my colleagues in the PSNI and in the UK around crime trends, what's happening and looking at best practices around the whole area of rural crime.

Yes, David, I suppose rural crime is no different to urban crime.

Whatever you have in an urban centre, you will have in a rural setting.

So, for example, rural burglaries.

We have drugs.

Drug intimidation is a very significant issue across rural communities at the moment.

Thefts, theft of livestock, farm machinery.

One of the biggest issues for the farming organisations at the moment is the whole area of illegal hunting and trespassing.

And this has really become a big issue for all of the farming organisations across the country, where we have a small group of individuals who are trespassing on land without permission and primarily hunting hares, rabbits, foxes, badgers, anything basically that they come across.

with dogs and lurchers and causing significant damage along the way.