COMPENSATION IS MOOTED FOR… LIVESTOCK LOSSES FROM FARM THEFTS

By Patsy McArdle

RECENT livestock losses through thefts from Border farms in Co. Monaghan—as well as from lands in mid-Monaghan—has prompted a local authority representative to seek the possible establishment by the Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney of some form of a compensation scheme to help farmers hit financially by the loss of cattle or sheep.

In recent months livestock were snatched from fields close to the South Armagh and Tyrone Border and also from the Latton area of Mid-Monaghan.

Despite intensive garda investigations, and cross-border assistance involving the PSNI, most of the animals stolen were never recovered.

Recently, some sheep which were stolen in the Republic, were located in Co. Fermanagh, but cattle from herds in Co. Monaghan, which were also taken, have not been accounted for.

It is believed some of the cattle may have been taken to illicit abattoirs and slaughtered, with the beef then smuggled and sold at a cut-price, to rogue victualling establishments, or on a door-to-door basis at housing estates.

A very close watch has been maintained at livestock marts on both sides of the Border for the missing cattle, with a close scrutiny also evident on all herd records and ear-tags by Department officials.

During the week, a Castleblayney town councilor, Cllr. James Cunningham said: “There is a lot of public concern in the area …