Gardaí are understood to be seeking information in relation to a theft from a shed in rural Co. Galway.

A number of items were stolen, including a cattle clippers and a power washer.

An adjacent home was also burgled.

The incident is understood to have occurred in the area of Laurencetown, a village in the east of the county on the main road between Portumna and Ballinasloe, on October 22.

The theft is understood to have occurred sometime between approximately 3:30p.m and 7:00p.m that day.

The homeowner had been away, and a family member had visited the property at around 3:30p.m.

Agriland understands that, on returning to the property later in the evening, the family member discovered that the door to the house had been forced and the property ransacked.

The thief or thieves also gained entry to an adjacent shed, from which a number of items were also stolen, including the cattle clippers and the power washer.

It is understood that the family member who visited the house had been keeping some of his own equipment in the shed, and that some of his property were among the stolen items.

Gardaí at Portumna Garda Station are understood to be taking charge of the inquiry and are seeking any information on the incident.

Theft of machinery and copper

In a separate recent incident, thieves are said to have gone to "extraordinary lengths" to strip copper and steal machinery in a major Co. Antrim raid.

The owner has estimated losses and damage exceeding £100,000, as farmers and rural businesses are urged to remain vigilant.

The property owner, near Ballymena, warned other farmers and business owners about the extent to which rural thieves operate.

They have described the extent of the damage and losses during a major machinery and copper theft that has left their facility inoperable.

The incident, at a property in the Granagh Road area of Cullybackey that was part of a local agricultural manufacturer’s expansion plans and was currently being refurbished, involved the theft of a JCB 530-70 telehandler, industrial machinery, welding equipment, and significant quantities of copper.