There is an epidemic of tool thefts across the country.

Millions of euro in stolen tools are being passed on at markets and sold locally for cheap by gangs involved in the theft and distribution of such tools.

The rule of law no longer exists and these criminals act with free rein, our government is failing us as citizens and law-abiding tax payers.

As construction workers and trades men and women we wake early every day and work long into the night, we’re hardworking individuals and we deserve to have our rights protected.

The extent of these tool thefts has reach well beyond the stage that something more needs to be done by our government.

Our Homes, Businesses, Vans, Building Sites, have become fortresses and this situation is totally unacceptable.

Considering all we are doing to protect ourselves and our investment in the tools of our respective trades, these criminals sell these stolen tools in open markets and nothing is being done to stop them.

For years our tools have been stolen and reporting these thefts has become completely pointless. These criminals are making huge profits and taking food from our tables, such are the profits being made by these criminals they have extended the thefts of tools and equipment to our Farms, Garages and Sheds and rural crime is on the rise.

This Needs to Stop!

I have started this petition because we need to collectively speak out, so our government listens to us and acts to prevent these crimes and to have tougher sentences for these criminals.

So, who am I and what is my motivation for doing this?

I am a trades man and I have worked in the construction sector for over 20 years and I have had tools stolen on me many times. My family has gone without as I tried to get money together to replace these tools. My story is no different than anyone else’s story and this has become all too common.

Our numbers as workers is huge well over 150,000 in Ireland and 2.3 Million in the UK, we are all voters and tax payers, our voice matters.

So, let’s speak out enough is enough, we all know someone who is a victim of this crime or we ourselves are victims.

I am taking a stand on this and would like you to do the same, if your serious about this issue and agree with me that more needs to be done please sign this petition and add your voice.

This is an online petition so please share this with as many people as possible on all your social media apps. The more people that we can get to sign this petition the louder our voice.

People should remember that a workman’s tools are his hands and stealing these tools is depriving people of making a living.

If you buy a person’s stolen tools, then you are essentially chopping off their hands because they simply cannot work. It’s as simple as that. You are depriving them of making a living and you are no better than the criminal who stole them.