Gun owning farmers would use weapon to protect themselves

Seventy two percent of farmers who own guns say that they would use it to defend themselves, according to a survey carried out by the new online farming news website, FarmIreland.ie.

The survey, which was carried out through face-to-face interviews with over 1,000 farmers, asked how far they would go to protect themselves. Over 40% of farmers keep a gun in their house and 72% of those would use it to defend themselves.

The survey also found that farmers do not live in fear, but they are prepared to defend themselves if faced with an intruder instead of calling the gardai as a first response. A total of 91pc said they feel safe in their home while 40pc said they keep a gun in the house.

While, 84 per cent said that they would not consider selling their farm, almost one in two (47%) said that they would not encourage their childre to take up farming. Interestingly, dairy farmers are more positive about the future of the industry than their colleagues in other sectors with over 60% saying they would encourage their children to become farmers. A total of 72 per cent of respondents said pre-nuptial agreements should have legal standing in Ireland, with younger respondents more in favour of them than older people.

On the issue of water charges, over three quarters (78%) of those surveyed feel that everyone should pay, while 80% believe that Ireland is better off within the EU.

Although their popularity may not be what it once was in urban areas, the survey found that Fine Gael (32%) and Fianna Fail (25%) continue to be the parties' of choice for rural dwellers.