Farmers have overwhelmingly supported a call for prenuptial agreements with 72pc saying they should have a legal standing in Ireland, according to an exclusive FarmIreland.ie survey

Concern over the possible fallout on land ownership following marriage breakdown continues to worry those in the farming community. A plan to introduce prenups was dropped by the Government last year, citing legal problems.

But respondents to the survey showed overwhelming support of prenuptial agreements, with 72pc backing a legal standing.

The survey of 1,000 farmers provides a snapshot of rural life amid concerns about the next generation, Brexit and crime.

It shows that farmers in the west and north west are more likely to not feel safe in their own home and a total of 72pc of farmers with guns would use them to defend themselves if needed.