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Sketch. Eamonn Farrell/Photocall Ireland

ICSA calls for government action on sheep thefts

The association said there is a need for a change in the tagging system as well as a comprehensive database like that for cattle.

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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20 Comments
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    Mute howsaboutya
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    Nov 15th 2012, 2:55 PM

    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

    44
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    Mute Paddy Mac
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    Nov 15th 2012, 2:42 PM

    You wool never catch those Roscommon boys, their too cute!!

    30
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    Mute David Hynes
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    Nov 15th 2012, 2:44 PM

    I was gonna make a sheep joke…but it’s too baaaaaaaaad

    29
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    Mute Reginald's Tower
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    Nov 15th 2012, 8:53 PM

    Certain nomadic road-pavers have been caught mid-operation stealing sheep. That’s probably why it didn’t make the mainstream news.

    17
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    Mute Mark Malone
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    Nov 15th 2012, 2:53 PM

    The government will probably set up an Expert Group to deal with this contentious issue.

    23
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    Mute Gabháin de Wilde
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    Nov 15th 2012, 2:48 PM

    Why do farmers need Government assistance with this? Can they do anything without Goverment assistance

    20
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    Mute Sluazcanal
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    Nov 15th 2012, 3:43 PM

    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?

    22
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    Mute Sluazcanal
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    Nov 15th 2012, 3:44 PM

    *wouldn’t

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    Mute Sluazcanal
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    Nov 15th 2012, 3:47 PM

    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.

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    Mute Revolting Peasant
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    Nov 15th 2012, 3:52 PM

    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

    19
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    Mute Damocles
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    Nov 15th 2012, 4:07 PM

    Really? The goats? That’s disgraceful. Those goats are ace. They run vertically up cliff faces.

    15
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    Mute Revolting Peasant
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    Nov 15th 2012, 4:43 PM

    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

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    Mute Damocles
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    Nov 15th 2012, 5:28 PM

    I’m going to tweet my TD about this.

    6
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    Mute Revolting Peasant
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    Nov 15th 2012, 5:32 PM

    its an issue that was highlighted last year, but feral animals are not protected here

    5
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    Mute David Conroy
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    Nov 15th 2012, 6:22 PM

    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.

    21
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    Mute Abi Dennis
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    Nov 15th 2012, 3:14 PM

    its the beast!

    17
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    Mute Damocles
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    Nov 15th 2012, 2:50 PM

    Apparently the coming thing is retina scans for sheep.

    11
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    Mute Thomas Devlin
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    Nov 15th 2012, 3:38 PM

    Poor farmers. They are really getting the wool pulled over their eyes.

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    Mute Desmond Wisley
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    Nov 15th 2012, 8:41 PM

    It’s the beast , do you know it has no mouth an four Arses

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    Mute Richard Quinn
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    Nov 15th 2012, 7:46 PM

    Everybody knows they are bring trafficked into prostitution in certain parts of Galway.

    5
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