The Justice Minister has announced the funding for a new Garda motorway patrol unit with 260 vehicles to be bought.
It follows increased pressure on the Government to address the problem following a mass public meeting in Thurles.
Chairman of Save Our Local Community group Robert O'Shea is one of the leaders of fight back against rural crime in Tipperary.
The Littleton agri-contractor has been the victim of repeated break ins and, together with others from the Mid Tipperary community, came together to form the organisation to tackle rural crime.
A mass public meeting in Thurles recently heard several stories of people who are now afraid in their homes, and businesses that have been repeatedly hit by criminals.
It's believed that roving criminal gangs are using the county's two motorways to access rural areas to carry out the robberies and then make a quick getaway.
Today, the Justice Minister, Frances Fitzgerald has announced 5.3 million euro in funding for a new Garda motorway patrol unit to tackle the problem…the 260-strong fleet will include Audi Q7 4x4s, motorbikes and unmarked BMW's for undercover Gardaí.
Robert O'Shea says a number of measures to tackle rural crime are now being talked about since their meeting in Thurles
Inspector Eddie Golden, head of the Tipperary Traffic Corps has also welcomed the news and says training is already in place for Gardaí to drive these high powered vehicles
Meanwhile, the Public Expenditure Minister says overhauling the Garda fleet will allow the force to both deter and intercept gangs targeting rural areas.
Minister Brendan Howlin says the spend is necessary to tackle one of the biggest issues facing the country.
“The idea that you'd have very visible, high-profile cars manning our motorways, manning roads off the motorways; not only as a deterrent to anybody who might think they can get away with it – but also in a position to respond very quickly to any incident that happens” he said.
“So I understand that's what's envisaged and I think it's necessary” he added.
Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald says the money will ensure that the “Gardaí have all the necessary tools at their disposal to tackle the scourge of highly-mobile criminal gangs and to disrupt crime, particularly burglaries, across both rural and urban communities.”
It's expected the new vehicles will be on the road before the end of this year.
