'Plague of farm trespass' must be 'dealt with effectively' - TD
Independent TD for Offaly Carol Nolan has urged the government to "significantly beef up the existing law of trespass", particularly as it refers to farm and agricultural land.
Deputy Nolan raised the matter with Tánaiste Simon Harris today (Thursday, January 22) in the Dáil.
Last September, the Offaly TD introduced her Criminal Justice (Trespass on Land) Bill 2025 private members bill.
The TD said that this bill is aimed at addressing the offence of trespassing on farm and agricultural land.
It seeks to introduce a "greater level of legal clarity for farmers and landowners, by significantly expanding the scope of the physical area that would be captured within the law of trespass".
"Capturing not just the land on which the farm buildings and the curtilage of buildings are situated, but all farm and agricultural land," according to Nolan.
'Unacceptable'
Speaking today, she said that "far too often, the farmer is made to feel like they are the ones with the handcuffs on them, not the person who trespasses and causes intimidation and damage".
"This is totally unacceptable. Farmers should not feel powerless when responding to trespassers," she said.
“For many years now, we have seen ongoing reports of people in rural Ireland living in absolute fear due to an upsurge in trespassing on farmland by roaming gangs and those who are absolutely indifferent to the rights of private property.
"Every year public meetings are held by the farming organisations, and every year farmers and community members say that the powers at the disposal of gardaí and landowners alike [are] deeply insufficient to address the nature of the problem.
“We are not talking here about people out for a walk who accidentally enter someone’s land and politely leave without causing damage or offence.
"We are talking about a rise in trespass incidents linked to illegal hunting, gangs with dogs, physical threats, intimidation, and damage to fences and vehicles."
She said it is important that the "plague of farm trespassing is dealt with effectively".
Tánaiste Simon Harris said there will be further engagement by the government on the matter, adding that "we should keep the laws under review".
