West Cork Rustler Arrest: Gardaí Recover 18 Stolen Cattle
A significant cattle rustling incident occurred in West Cork, leading to the recovery of 18 stolen cattle valued at €30,000. Gardaí arrested a 31-year-old man in connection with this crime during a coordinated operation.
Details of the Cattle Rustling Incident
The operation took place on a farm in Cappamore, situated between Ballydehob and Skibbereen, on a Monday at around 5:30 PM. Over 20 gardaí, along with approximately 15 inspectors from the Department of Agriculture, conducted an extensive search, resulting in the recovery of the stolen livestock.
Stolen Cattle Identification
The 18 stolen cattle consisted of 12 heifers and six bulls, all Friesians. These animals had been reported stolen from local farmer Brian Lawlor from his farm at Lakelands. The theft occurred over the weekend of November 23rd to 24th.
- Stolen from: Brian Lawlor’s farm, Skibbereen
- Type: 12 Friesian heifers and 6 Friesian bulls
- Estimated value: €30,000
Collaboration with the Department of Agriculture
Gardaí collaborated closely with officials from the Department of Agriculture. This cooperation enabled them to identify the stolen cattle, which had been given new ear tags previously assigned to deceased animals. In addition to recovering the stolen cattle, gardaí found original identification tags at the scene.
A source from the Department of Agriculture indicated that tags matching cattle reported stolen two years ago were also discovered. DNA tests will be conducted on a total of 284 cattle located at the site, including:
- 105 cows
- 47 heifers aged 12 months or older
- 43 animals under 12 months
- 89 steers
Authorities suspect that over 50 of these cattle might have been stolen, prompting DNA testing to determine their rightful ownership.
Arrest and Investigation
During the investigation, Gardaí recovered two balaclavas from a vehicle at the farm. These items have been sent for forensic examination. The arrested individual is under suspicion of theft and fraud. He is being held at Bandon Garda station, as permitted by Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, allowing for detention of up to 24 hours without charges being filed.
The recovered 18 Friesians have been returned to their owner, Mr. Lawlor. After the theft, he expressed his distress on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, noting that the animals were all between 12 and 14 months old, and the loss significantly impacted his farming operation.
