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THE IRISH CATTLE and Sheep Farmers Association (ICSA) has called on the government to take action on the increasing problem of sheep thefts around the country.
The ICSA said thefts are happening on a weekly basis with large numbers of sheep being taken from farms.
“In the last six months up to 200 sheep were taken in Roundwood in Co Wicklow, around 80 were taken in Donegal and they’re worth about €100 each to the farmer,” Paul Brady, ICSA National Sheep Committee Chairman told TheJournal.ie.
“It’s very well orchestrated, it’s not being done by your ordinary Joe soap, there are gangs going around specialising in this and they have the know-how.”
“And where are you meant to go when it happens?” he said. “If you go to the Gardaí all that is, is a counselling service.”
“There has been not a bit of progress on this and talking to the Department of Agriculture you hit a stonewall, they just don’t want to get into it.”
In response to Brady’s comments, the Department of Agriculture said it provides Gardaí with any assistance possible in relation to investigations into stolen sheep and has helped secure successful prosecutions.
Brady said one of the main issues of contention was the tagging system which he would like changed.
“There are far too many tags being issued to some farmers, especially compared to the system for cattle,” he said. “If you have 100 ewes you can order 1000 tags which leaves a lot of extra tags meaning stolen sheep can be re-tagged.”
Brady also said there is a need for a sheep database similar to that of cattle to help keep track of herds.
“We’ve been talking about a pilot scheme as well for some timec to put bolus, like micro chips with dogs, into the stomach, then when they’re slaughtered we can identify where they came out of and there’d be a higher chance of being caught.”
The department said flock owners who are concerned about the security of their sheep have the option to identify their lambs with a bolus set.
Brady said the thefts are having a “big impact” on farmers because it is pulling back the prices for ordinary farmers and will continue to affect them until changes are made.
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Sad reality is, and you won’t hear this in the mainstream media, they are being used as sex workers and their wool is broken down to crystal meth. Don’t shoot the messenger. Wake up sheeple burn the bondholders etc etc
You wool never catch those Roscommon boys, their too cute!!
I was gonna make a sheep joke…but it’s too baaaaaaaaad
Certain nomadic road-pavers have been caught mid-operation stealing sheep. That’s probably why it didn’t make the mainstream news.
The government will probably set up an Expert Group to deal with this contentious issue.
Why do farmers need Government assistance with this? Can they do anything without Goverment assistance
Well they could start their own tagging and identification system but then that would be recognised by the government. See now why government assistance is needed?
*wouldn’t
Secondly why is it when farmers stand up to the government people criticise them.. they are one of a few groups who actually get out and protest.
the same type of people are also making off with the feral mountain goats from all over the country, they are not protected under irish law, will be sad when they are gone
Really? The goats? That’s disgraceful. Those goats are ace. They run vertically up cliff faces.
same m.o., 2 sheepdogs and a livestock truck, no one can do a thing about it, goat sausages have become a delicacy, 20 sterling per kilo
I’m going to tweet my TD about this.
its an issue that was highlighted last year, but feral animals are not protected here
A special type of person steals a mans living from him. Whether it is his tools or animals, I can understand people taking direct action to stop crime like this.
its the beast!
Apparently the coming thing is retina scans for sheep.
Poor farmers. They are really getting the wool pulled over their eyes.
It’s the beast , do you know it has no mouth an four Arses
Everybody knows they are bring trafficked into prostitution in certain parts of Galway.
have your say