Second arrest in connection with machinery & livestock theft

Gardaí have arrested a male, aged in his late 30s, as part of ongoing investigations into the theft of agricultural machinery and livestock in Kerry and West Cork.

He is currently detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2007, at a Garda Station in County Kerry, according to a statement from An Garda Síochána.

The thefts, which occurred from November 2022 to February 2023, resulted in approximately €110,000 of farm machinery (including a tractor and slurry tanker, which were later recovered) and livestock being stolen.

Male (20s) arrested

Earlier this month, we reported that Gardaí arrested a male in his twenties, on Tuesday, June 13^th, as part of an ongoing Garda investigation into multiple reported thefts of agricultural machinery and livestock in the Kerry and Cork West divisions in late 2022 and early 2023.

Through an extensive investigation conducted by Gardaí from Cork West and Kerry, it was suspected the thefts were linked to an organised crime group believed to be involved in the removal of livestock and machinery from this jurisdiction.

On Tuesday, June 13^th, 2023, a number of vehicles were seized during the course of a number of searches of residences and farmlands in North and West Kerry.

These searches were conducted by Gardaí from the Cork West and Kerry divisions with assistance from the Regional Armed Support Unit from Limerick, along with local Divisional Scenes of Crime Unit members and Community Policing Unit members.

The male, aged in his 20s, was released from the provisions of Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2007, on June 16th, 2023, and a file will now be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

According to Gardaí, “investigations are ongoing”.

Preventing thefts 

Gardaí would encourage all of those who have farmyards and livestock to:

• Regularly check the home and perimeter security;
• Consider installing CCTV around your property;
• Report suspicious vehicles/behaviour to Gardaí;
• Join a Neighbourhood Watch / Community Alert Scheme;
• Use Community Text Alert scheme to inform neighbours.

Previous farming news article: What to do if your cattle are stolen/missing