Athy farmer: My kids are waking up at night following burglary

An Athy farmer has spoken about the effect a theft can have on a person psychologically.

Father of five Liam Dunne (61)  said that the theft of his jeep and tools earlier this year was a traumatic experience for himself and his wife and children.

Liam (above) said: "My family were waking up at night, they'd be calling down stairs to me saying they had heard a noise and they should normally be fast asleep.

"And then of course I go out, usually take something in my hand, I go out to investigate. And of course then they'd be worried about what's happening with me.

"A farmer's farmyard is an expression of himself and to have that violated was quite traumatic."

Mr Dunne says spotters selling information to these criminals and organised gangs need to be clamped down on but gardaí say the burden of proof means it can be difficult to prosecute the individuals in court.

Liam was speaking at the launch of an awareness campaign to combat farm-related crime and thefts.

Since 2010, some 28,642 farm-related crime incidents have been reported to gardaí. These have included burglaries and the theft of vehicles, machinery and equipment, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office.

Farmers are urged to contact the Crimestoppers confidential line on 1800 25 00 25 if they suspect crime in their area.

The jeep was found when it was used to ram a Garda squad car in June, injuring four gardaí.

"...it's a lingering fact in my mind the whole time, it's the fact that there was somebody in our yard at night, invading our private space and that's not a nice feeling."

"Now it's in the back of my mind, 'Is there somebody watching, or has there been somebody watching?'. I'm hoping that that feeling is going to go away."