A trailer with a dead ewe inside was stolen under the cover of darkness last night in Co. Monaghan – the latest in a series of thefts reported in recent weeks.
The farmer had been using the Hudson livestock trailer yesterday evening (October 1) to collect a dead ewe from a field.
It was then parked up for the evening at around 6:00pm, just 150ft from the farmer’s parents’ home – which is located a few miles outside Ballybay. The trailer was last seen by the farmer as he left the yard shortly after 7:00pm.
The trailer was stolen with a dead ewe inside
Suspicion was raised when a neighbour noticed that gates leading into the farmyard were open at 6:45am this morning (October 2). It was later noticed that both a chainsaw and con-saw were also taken in the raid.
The thieves would have had to pass through two sets of double gates to gain access to the yard. There is a possibility that the thieves may have pushed the trailer out towards the road in order to keep their noise levels down.
The trailer’s roof could also be removed to improve its versatility, the farmer added.
The Hudson trailer with its roof removed
The farmer valued the trailer – which he bought new a number of years ago – at approximately €2,000 and said it was in “fierce good” condition. A set of LED lights had also been installed on the trailer.
However, one of the aluminium loading gates on the trailer is damaged and there are a few marks near the Hudson sign on the front right-hand-side of the trailer.
Members of An Garda Siochana have been made aware of the robbery. Anyone with information is asked to contact Ballybay Garda Station on: 042-9741002.