The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has told Agriland that some 144 cattle were reported as stolen in 2024.
However, that figure may increase as it is based on data generated from the department’s Animal Identification and Movement system (AIM) as of Thursday, December 19.
The data shows 127 of the animals reported stolen were beef cattle, while the remaining 17 were from dairy herds.
The majority of the cattle which were reported stolen (110) were aged over 30 months. There were 4 young beef calves (0-3 months) reported stolen.
Cattle
The AIM data shows that cattle were reported stolen from farms in 11 counties up to December 19.
Mayo was by far the county with the highest number of suspected thefts at 80 cattle, 76 of which were beef animals.
There were also thefts reported in Clare; Cork; Donegal; Galway; Kerry; Leitrim; Longford; Meath; Monaghan and Roscommon.
The following table provides a county-by-county breakdown of the cattle reported to the department as stolen:
County Beef Dairy Total Clare 1 0 1 Cork 2 4 6 Donegal 5 1 6 Galway 2 0 2 Kerry 1 0 1 Leitrim 4 1 5 Longford 1 0 1 Mayo 76 4 80 Meath 1 0 1 Monaghan 33 7 40 Roscommon 1 0 1 Total 127 17 144
The department confirmed that 12 cattle – 8 beef and 4 dairy animals – which had been reported stolen were subsequently found.
The data shows that the majority of the recovered animals (10) were aged over 30 months.
DAFM
According to DAFM, when cattle are found to be missing or stolen, the owner/keeper of the animal(s) should immediately notify the department through their local Regional Veterinary Office (RVO) and also notify An Garda Síochána.
The owner/keeper must then complete an AIM24 form (provided by the RVO) which details key information, such as: tag number(s), date lost/stolen, owner/keeper declaration, Garda declaration.
On receipt of this documentary evidence and the completion of the department’s checks the RVO will record the animal(s) as missing or stolen on the department’s AIM system.