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Chapter 1: What are the main challenges of policing rural Ireland?
From farm thefts to drug intimidation, policing rural Ireland is no mean feat. When crime finds its way into a community, it can have long-lasting effects, leaving people feeling vulnerable and isolated. My next guest is leading on Garda Síochána's campaign in the battle against these issues. Superintendent Michael Corbett, National Rural Crime Lead, is in our Cork studio. Morning, Michael.
Good morning. Good morning, David, and thanks for having me on. Well, thanks for joining us. A national rural crime lead. What is your role?
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.
OK. And when you talk to those rural organisations and groups, I mean, what are their main concerns around 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.
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Chapter 2: What is Superintendent Michael Corbett's role in rural crime prevention?
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.
Drug intimidation is a big issue and we've dealt with it or discussed it on the programme before. What are you seeing in those terms?
Yes, I suppose, look, rural communities, you know, drug intimidation is a very significant issue for rural communities. And I suppose the message that I want to get out this morning, David, to your listeners is that if you are a victim of drug intimidation, be it a father, a mother,
an uncle, an aunt, a sister, a brother, and somebody is coming knocking on your door and they're saying that a relation of yours or a loved one has ran up a substantial drug debt, then my advice is to contact Angarda Siocana. We have dedicated inspectors who are trained in every division across the country and we are able to offer you assistance and advice in relation to how we deal with this.
And, you know, some people, I suppose, it's out of fear and intimidation and threats that they don't want to come forward to and get a chicana. But even if you don't want to make an official statement, a complaint, still come and talk to us in confidence and we can still help you as a victim of drug intimidation.
Yeah, because people are reluctant to come forward for the reasons that you mentioned.
Absolutely, David. And there's a lot of fear, there's threats and all of that. And of course, we understand why people are afraid to come forward.
Yeah. Now, theft of farm machinery in particular is a big issue and has been a big issue for years. What simple steps can people take to protect themselves, protect their property? Because it doesn't have to break the bank, does it?
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