T HE two-horse race for the highest political prize in the country is well and truly on between Simon Coveney and Leo Varadkar following Enda Kenny’s decision this week to step down as Taoiseach after leading the country through some of its most tumultous years in recent political history.

Between now and Friday, June 2nd, when the new leader of Fine Gael is announced, no doubt every issue from water and bin charges to the USC and property tax will be trotted out on the airwaves but right up amongst them, the national scourge that is rural crime simply must be put at the very top of the successful candidate’s agenda.

The amount of lost money, time and upset tied up with being robbed of horses, ponies, tack, vehicles, horseboxes, trailers and tools is virtually incalcuable, but the bottom line for victims of rural crime is all too real. Recently, the country woke up to news of a repulsive attack and robbery of an elderly couple in their 80s and 90s in their own home by callous thugs. That attack came hot on the heels of the sickening murder of a bachelor farmer in his 90s at his rural home.

Societies tend to be largely judged by how they treat their most vulnerable in their midst - the young and the elderly.

This week, Irish Horse World’s Judith Faherty reports on the theft of four miniature horses, lured out of their field and whisked off in the night in Leitrim, while in Bandon owners of a stolen horsebox live in hope of its return. The raiders slashed their vehicle tyres to ensure they could not follow them.

Thankfully, nobody was injured in either case but the shattered peace of mind such incidences bring endures long after the crime has been added to the ever-growing statistics file.

Survey after survey - along with indepth coverage of this particular issue by our sister paper, the Irish Farmers Journal, shows that rural crime is truly now at epidemic proportions in our country. Some insurance companies are refusing cover for tools and machinery, they’ve calculated the odds and know the risks are stacked against them.

Whoever takes over the reins of the country in June must bring in special tough measures to tackle rural crime. Judges should throw the book at those convicted of rural crimes, and there should be absolutely no mercy for those found guilty of attacking or targeting elderly people.