Farmer devastated after theft of 100 cattle and sheep

In what is believed to be one of the largest ever thefts of livestock in the state, a farmer from Kilbeggan has had 100 cattle and sheep stolen in an overnight heist.

At lunchtime yesterday, Thursday, Niall Dillon made the horror discovery that 75 cattle and 25 sheep were cleared from lands he rents on the road between Kilbeggan and Tyrrellspass.

Just four animals were left behind.

The loss of the animals – several of which were due to have been sold by the end of this summer – amounts to a sum which could be as great as €100,000.

It is a huge blow to the young father-of-one, who hopes that his farm insurance will cover the loss.

Niall, who farms with his wife, Christa, made the discovery when he went to the farm at 1.15pm yesterday, having last checked on the animals with his father at around 9.15 pm the previous evening, Wednesday.

“When I got there, I saw the lock had been cut,” says Niall.

He got a sinking feeling, and called for a neighbor to join him as they made the journey from the main road up to the farmyard, in case there was still someone there.

“But they were long gone,” he says.

To his disbelief, he found that the 130 acre farm had been cleared of virtually all its animals – 9 cows, 9 calves; 40 calves of around 12 to 18 months in age and the remainder of about eighteen months to two years of age.

The cattle were Limousin Xs, Charollais Xs and about 12 black/whiteheads.

Initial investigations indicate there may have been two trucks involved in the theft of the cattle.

 

Anyone who may have seen anything connected with the theft is asked to contact Kilbeggan Garda Station on (057) 933 2102.