Leitrim farmers urged to stay vigilant after sheep theft during lambing season

Farmers in Leitrim are being warned to remain vigilant regarding sheep theft, as sheep become especially vulnerable at this time of year during the lambing season.

Sheep were stolen from a farm in Glencar last week at a time when farmers are extremely busy with lambing, leaving farms and livestock at heightened risk.

The issue of theft on farms, whether livestock or equipment, has been highlighted across the country. In February alone, a Prime Time investigation on RTÉ examined the activities of organised gangs involved in stealing vehicles, machinery, tools and livestock.

Closer to Leitrim, there was a theft of 13 ewe lambs and one sheep in Ballinfull, Sligo in January, while 27 sheep were stolen from a farm in Ramelton, Donegal last summer.

Leitrim IFA County Chair Liam Gilligan noted that there is “always a danger of it happening,” but especially during the lambing season.

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“It is always a danger at this time of year, sheep will come to feed and it is a lot more vulnerable than other times of the year,” said Mr Gilligan. “They’re getting meals and if someone comes along with a bag they would tend to come over very easily,” he added.

Electronic identification has been required on sheep since 2019 under the National Sheep Identification System. However, many sheep that go missing in Ireland are never recovered, as tags can be removed within seconds.

“Unfortunately people that are at that would probably have the tags cut out,” said Mr Gilligan. “Sheep wouldn’t be loaded up this time of the year. It is a worry after people going through the winter and looking after them for them to disappear,” he added.

Beyond the financial loss that most people cannot afford, there is also a significant loss of security and safety for families living and working on farms. Solutions are not straightforward, as it is unsustainable to place locks on all gates and entrances when farmers are constantly moving around their farms throughout the day.

Speaking during the Prime Time investigation into farm theft in February, Martin Kenny TD highlighted how rural crime is increasing faster than the resources available to address it and called for increased Garda resources in rural areas.

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“This is people’s workplaces, but it’s also their homes,” he said on the programme.

Mr Gilligan also noted that people living and working on farms should remain vigilant and report suspicious activity, including unfamiliar vehicles in rural areas.

“Everyone is busy but if people would be keeping an eye out on anything suspicious it would be a help. If it isn’t nipped in the bud and stopped, there’s a bigger danger of it continuing,” he concluded.