Fianna Fáil has criticised the methods in which repossessions are being dealt with.

Kildare South TD, Seán Ó Fearghaíl, made the comments after a group of over 30 uniformed individuals attempted to repossess a farm last week in Castledermot.

Deputy Ó Fearghaíl said: "The group were wearing a standardised uniform that included balaclavas and began their operation at midnight and did not leave the area until after 5am as dawn was approaching.

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"The security company that attempted to repossess the land were clearly using intimidation tactics. They chose not to approach the property until the dead of night, and their uniform made it difficult to distinguish who exactly they were. They also had a number of dogs on hand that were further used to intimidate and harass the already terrified local community.

"Most worrying is the fact that the security company trespassed on neighbouring property to the farm during the course of the night. Local residents were terrified as they did not know why large groups of individuals were marauding around late at night."

Deputy Ó Fearghaíl has now called on the Taoiseach to bring forward legislation to make it a criminal offence to use these sorts of "intimidation tactics".

(CD/JP)