ELDERLY farmers in Carlow fear being targeted by criminals after a list was made public of those who received EU funds.

A total of €34.5 million was given out to almost 2,000 farms and agri-businesses in Carlow last year under Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) payments.

Information including the names of Carlow farmers and what each of them received was published on the Department of Agriculture’s website, prompting anger and anxiety.

“I believe the publishing of these details is unnecessary and it impinges on people’s privacy. I believe it’s wrong and it’s not relevant,” said Carlow IFA chairperson Derek Deane.

Mr Deane said he had been contacted by elderly farmers, who feared they would become even more vulnerable to criminals.

“The concern is that figures show that Joe Bloggs has €10k and they feel they would be targeted. Their biggest fear is they will be beaten up for money they have not got. That is the reality of it.”

Con Kelly from the Bagenalstown Municipal District received the largest individual CAP payment, taking in €312,000 last year. Richard Cope of Carlow Municipal District was second-highest, receiving €208,006. Roscat Tillage Ltd (€187,637), Brian Dowley (€150,080) and Lesson Treacy (€127,081) fill out the top-five highest individual earners in Carlow.

Eighty-seven farmers in Carlow received more than €50,000, while ten topped €100,000.

Mr Deane said the headline-grabbing figures did got give a full picture of farming in Carlow. Some of the top earners would be employing a number people and the allocations were based on output.

“All farmers are in the tax net and a lot of farmers do not have a taxable income,” he added. Mr Deane said the EU supports enabled production that would otherwise not be possible.

The Department of Agriculture stated that it was required to publish the information.

Mr Deane said it was notable there was little transparency of the department’s own administration costs, including overtime associated with the CAP payments.