FARM machinery has been stolen “to order” in the Clogher Valley area, an MLA has claimed.


Ulster Unionist representative Ross Hussey questioned Justice Minister David Ford on Monday, asking him to raise the issue with his counterpart in the Republic of Ireland.


“In relation to organised crime, it is believed that, within the Clogher valley area, which obviously covers my area of West Tyrone and goes into Fermanagh-south Tyrone, quite a few agricultural vehicles have been stolen to order,” said Mr. Hussey. “Indeed, that goes as far as even Castlederg. Will you, in future, try to ensure that that issue is raised with your counterpart and, I accept, also with the National Crime Agency?” he asked.


In response, Minister Ford said: “It is certainly an issue that can be highlighted if it is a key issue for ministerial attention. It is certainly an issue for operational attention. It is also an issue where some of the work we have done, for example in promoting tracking devices in agricultural machinery, has helped fight that kind of crime, and it is not an issue that is solely confined to the Clogher Valley. 


“So, there are major challenges, but part of it is around the prevention route just as much as the enforcement route. Enforcement applies within Northern Ireland and cross-Border,” he said.