Earlier this week Kerry South TD, Michael Healy Rae, Crime Journalist Paul Williams and James Claffey of Irish Rural Link sat down with Bobby Kerr at The Ploughing to discuss the issue of rural crime...

With election season just around the corner, this has become a hot-topic in rural areas as Ireland re-examines the radical changes that have happened in rural policing under the current Government.

Mr Healy Rae is highly critical of Government plans to tackle these issues with harsher penalties, rather than offering more resources to guards or reopening closed garda stations.

"Their policies have lead to an increase in crime. So rather than tackling what is causing the crime, they are going to wait until the crime is committed, catch you, and then give you a longer term in jail - when we can't afford to keep the people in jail anyway.

"If this was to happen in a banana republic, the people would be outraged. I really think the people have to realise what is happening - realise that [the Coalition's] failed policies have resulted in us being where we are today."

He concludes, "Their policy is stupid beyond belief," and adds that rural TDs from the governing parties have blindly followed their leaders without "opening their mouths," and that this will not be forgotten, come election time.

"We don't have the cops to catch them - and we don't have the prison space to put them in": this is how reporter Paul Williams assesses the situation outside of Ireland's urban hubs.

He says that there are four or five different kinds of gangs burgling in rural areas and exporting goods, fuel and machinery.

He adds that it is "depressing and sad" that this is being allowed to happen to vulnerable people in modern Ireland.

Meanwhile James Claffey says that there is a need for people to look after their neighbours heading into the winter.

Listen back to the full debate:

It was announced on Wednesday that CCTV cameras are to be located in rural areas as part of a new pilot scheme to tackle rural crime.

The Minister for the Environment, Alan Kelly, has announced €50,000 will be allocated to the project.

The cameras will be located in strategic positions in rural locations, with the aim of increasing public safety and deterring criminal and anti-social behaviour.

The images from the cameras will be reviewed if a crime takes place or at the request of gardaí.