Aubrey McCarthy (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I rise to highlight a grave incident that happened in County Kildare on 7 February. There was an arson attack in the Rathasker Stud in Naas, which burned down two large hay barns, 600 bales of hay and a horse box causing over €150,000 worth of damage. However, the attack also put 18 valuable thoroughbred mares in foal in danger but they were rescued by workers and neighbours who moved them to safety. It was not just an attack on property or on a local business but an attack on rural livelihoods in the neighbourhood. It is not the first arson attack in Kildare. Two farms have been targeted recently. The Killashee Hotel was targeted and also a housing development. I attended a meeting this week in the Keadeen Hotel organised by the IFA with the owners of Rathasker Stud. Tensions were running very high and people were very upset and angry. The sense of fear is palpable. It is clear that the people of rural Ireland and in the Kildare area are frustrated and it seems increasingly vulnerable. I ask Senators to remember that the breeding and racing industry in Ireland contributed €2.5 billion in 2022 and employed over 30,000 people. The Rathasker Stud is owned by Maurice Burns and his daughter Madeline who play a significant role in the sector but it also affects the community and the wider industry. The attack raises the concern as to whether An Garda Síochána has the resources to police areas where juvenile offenders need to be dealt with. That is a question for the Minister.

I urge the Minister for Justice to address this pressing issue. The good side of this is that on the evening of the IFA meeting, there was a huge turnout and Maurice Burns and his family have received overwhelming support. However, rural Ireland must not be overlooked and I call on this House to ensure adequate resources are allocated to prevent such crimes and to protect people living in the countryside.