Rise in thefts of in-lamb ewes

Sheep farmers across County Galway have been warned about opportunist thefts of in-lamb ewes – they have been warned to keep their gates and doors locked.

There has been a surge in the increase in sheep thefts in the county and IFA Regional Organiser Roy O’Brien admitted it was a worrying trend. He said that he had been onto the Gardai in relation to the matter.

But he said that it was a matter that was becoming an issue in many parts of the country and he had been in touch with Garda representatives in relation to the matter.

It has been reported that a North Galway sheep farmer, on the verge of retirement from the business, had 35 in-lamb ewes stolen from his lands around a mile and a half from his Tuam home.

It is now a matter that is the subject of a Garda investigation who are appealing for information on the alleged theft in the Kilbannon and Gardenfield areas. He said that there was a mix of mule and Suffolk crosses.

The farmer estimates that they were worth €9,000 in total but stated that he, along with neighbours, had carried out an extensive search of the area for the sheep to no avail.

IFA’s Roy O’Brien told Farming Tribune that he had been in touch with the Crime Prevention Office in Galway and they have now issued a warning to farmers to keep gates and sheds locked at this time.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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