James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Representatives of the Irish Farmers Association, IFA, attended yesterday's meeting of the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality to outline the plight of people in rural areas in the face of increasing rural crime levels. Scrap and precious metal thieves are roaming the countryside taking lead from people's homes and sheds. The scope of this scourge is widespread. A large number of such thefts go unreported, fuelled by a no-questions-asked industry.

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