Farmer offers €1,000 reward for stolen cattle

A LOUTH farmer is offering a reward of €1,000 for the return of 14 cattle stolen from his farm outside Dundalk.

Tom Kirk told the Farming Independent that he was on the farm from 3pm-5.45pm last Saturday before he returned home to Ardee.

He said that a neighbour rang him at 7.15pm to inform him that a lorry was pulling out of the yard. Tom then drove over to the farm and discovered that 14 of his cattle had been stolen.

“I was there for most of the evening but went home to Ardee as I’m only a part-time farmer. I’ve a business in Slane.

“I got a call from one of the neighbours, so I drove over and 14 cattle were gone.

“They loaded up 14 good quality Limousins and took off. Nothing like this has happened to me before,” he said.

Mr Kirk said that the cattle are worth approximately €1,200 each and is now offering a reward for information.

“I’m putting up €1,000. It’s only part-time for me but it’s something I enjoy. It spoils the whole thing.

“I’m not that hopeful about getting them back. They could be on somebody else’s plate tomorrow but it’s worth a try,” he said. Gardai said the investigation is ongoing.

They are appealing for witnesses to contact Louth Garda Station on (042) 937 4102. Meanwhile, a man believed to be in his 50s, was injured last Saturday at 2am on his farm in Brosna, Co Offaly, when intruders forced their way in to his home and locked him in a cattle shed.

The farmer later managed to escape and called gardai.

It is understood the farmer’s injuries were minor and the intruders took a small amount of cash. It is believed the farm was targeted by thieves six weeks earlier.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Birr Garda Station on (057) 916 9710.