Gardaí have arrested a 34-year-old man, in connection with an investigation into the theft of livestock, with an estimated value in excess of €100,000, which occurred at Kilbeggan, Co. Westmeath last June  2015.

The man was arrested yesterday afternoon, Thursday, October 22, 2015 and is currently detained at Athlone Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.

It’s the second arrest in the case as earlier this month another man was arrested by Gardai in connection with the same theft of livestock and was released without charge, a Garda spokesperson has said.

In this case, Gardai have said a file was being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the matter is still under investigation.

The man, who is in his 30s, was arrested in Donegal in relation to the case where 75 cattle and 25 sheep were stolen from the farm at Cornaher (between Kilbeggan and Tyrrellspass), Co. Westmeath in June.

Gardai arrested the man during a planned operation in Donegal and he was detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at Ballyshannon Garda Station.

It is believed that it was the largest cattle theft in the country’s history.

In July, a renewed nationwide appeal was made from Crimestoppers, the IFA and An Garda Siochana to combat the problem of livestock theft. Earlier this summer, a number of cattle and sheep were stolen from Irish farms.

Launched in February 2015, the campaign calls on members of the public and in particular, those in the farming community with information on the theft of cattle and sheep to come forward to the Gardai with information.

Theft of both cattle and sheep is an issue that affects all regions of Ireland, causing significant problems for the farmers who fall victim to the criminals, a spokesperson for Crimestoppers said.