Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, for attending. I have raised in the House previously the issue of community alert and neighbourhood watch schemes in rural areas, particularly the rural part of east Galway, which I represent. I would like to draw the attention of the Minister of State to an aggravated burglary which took place last Friday night at the home of the parish priest in Caherlistrane, County Galway, the Very Reverend Pat O'Brien. As Fr. O'Brien pointed out, it was the second raid on his house. During the first raid, a few weeks ago, a small sum was taken from a Trócaire box. The second raid was more serious. Four men wearing balaclavas and gloves broke into the parochial house between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. and tied up the priest. One of the men was carrying a crowbar. Fr. O'Brien, who is in his 60s, was the only occupant of the house at the time. The gang ransacked the house for over an hour before making off with a sum of cash. One of the gang's persistent demands was for gold. After the gang fled, Fr. O'Brien managed to free himself and raised the alarm at a neighbour's house. He was not seriously injured but is understood to be very traumatised by the incident. The gardaí in Tuam have reported that no arrests have been made.

Swift action is needed to address the rise in rural crime across the county of Galway. At the joint policing committee meetings that I have attended, public representatives from all parties and none have talked about the fact that ten Garda stations were closed in the county. They have stated that recruitment is required and that extra gardaí are required to address the growing problem. We also need the necessary vehicles, which I understand can be provided because there is some funding available. I hope the Minister will lift the ban on Garda recruitment. The public deserves a decent service.

At present, there are those who are making a career out of criminal activity, as is evident from the raid on the house of Fr. Pat O'Brien. This House has discussed the cash-for-gold industry, which appears to be a contributor to the increase in rural crime. One of the burglars who raided the house of Fr. Pat O'Brien was obsessed with gold. There have been numerous media articles on the theft of scrap metal. There are anecdotal reports on the theft of scrap metal, precious metals and jewellery to obtain cash. This matter is of particular public concern because of the rising level of theft fuelled by rising metal prices. Precious metal prices have increased by 50% since 2009. The reasons for the current focus on this form of theft are the economic downturn and the increase in metal prices worldwide. The relative ease of securing cash in the second-hand trade is also a factor. Obviously, there are no official statistics on the number of scrap metal sales or thefts. The second-hand trade, with the exception of pawnbroking, is not regulated by legislation. The pawnbroking industry is not the same as the cash-for-gold industry. Cash-for-gold businesses are currently not registered or legislated for in any specific way. Consequently, the general criminal law on stolen goods is used when there is crime in this area. There has been a Private Members' proposal on this. I hope that today or very shortly we will get some more information on what is happening in respect of the cash-for-gold issue.

Fr. O'Brien is a very forgiving man. It is reported in the newspaper that he said to one of the criminals that he would say mass for the raiders. It is indicative of his humility that he was able to identify with one of the raiders, who was good to him. He was terrified of another individual who raided his house. I have known Fr. Pat O'Brien for years and went to secondary school with him. It is typical of him to be forgiving and to give such an example in the approach to Easter week.

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