asked the Minister for Justice whether he is aware that the stealing of hens and turkeys is becoming a serious evil in rural Ireland, and whether he will direct the Gárda Síochána to take special measures to control this evil, and whether, if necessary, he will introduce legislation to provide for special penalties for larceny of livestock of any description.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Larceny of Livestock.
Mr. Boland
I have no evidence that there is any increase in the number of cases of stealing of hens and turkeys. I have not had time to make full inquiries in the matter, but such inquiries as I have had time to make indicate that there have been fewer cases this year than last year. The attention of the Gárda Síochána is being directed to the matter, however. I think that the penalties for larceny of livestock (including poultry) provided by the Larceny Acts and the Summary Jurisdiction (Ireland) Act, 1862, are quite sufficient, and I do not propose to introduce legislation.
Does the Minister appreciate the peculiar gravity of larceny of livestock amongst rural communities, that, if that were allowed to develop, life in rural communities would become virtually impossible and that such developments in other countries have given rise to very serious problems when they have gone unchecked?