An Garda Síochána have reports of the thefts of 176 sheep in Co. Wicklow for year 2020, Gardaí based in the county have confirmed.
These taken animals were the outcome of six different thefts, it was added, while already in 2021, there has been one reported theft for west Wicklow.
In an effort to highlight this situation, Detective Sergeant Barry Turner in Wicklow has been in “regular ongoing contact” with Wicklow Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) to raise An Garda Síochána’s concerns with this type of theft, especially in the lead up to the Easter Lamb market, Gardaí said in a statement.
The statement added:
The starting point is target hardening and encouraging farmers to use heavy-duty locks and chains on their gates which would make the theft of sheep more difficult. Farmers should also count their flock as often as possible and immediately report any losses to An Garda Síochána.
Detective Sergeant Turner is also proposing modifications to systems currently being employed for tagging flocks.
This will allow identification of animals at all phases of their life cycle, including the factory stage, the Garda statement added.
Superintendent Anthony Farrell, based in Baltinglass, outlined his support for Detective Sergeant Turner’s proposal.
Superintendent Farrell said: “Farmers can also do small things to make this type of theft more difficult, such as for example, branding each flock, with clearly identifiable markings.
“I would ask people living in rural communities to be alert to this type of crime and if they see something unusual or suspicious, please advise the local farmer and indeed An Garda Síochána.
Unusual or suspicious could be as simple as a trailer on farmland they don’t recognise. This is a particular type of crime where the culprit has a specific knowledge of animals but also access to transport to move them from fields.
An Garda Síochána in parts affected by these thefts in Co Wicklow are monitoring the movement of all animals, especially sheep. Please be vigilant, the statement concluded.