Gardaí appeal for info on stolen agricultural property
Gardaí in Co. Offaly have arrested and charged several individuals with burglary and theft-related offences, as part of ongoing efforts to combat burglary under Operation Thor.
According to An Garda Síochána, a significant amount of stolen property, including high-value agricultural equipment, has been recovered and returned to its rightful owners.
However, a Power Craft 200LR generator remains unclaimed. Gardaí are keen to identify the owner and ensure it is returned.
"If you recognise this generator or know who it belongs to, please get in touch with us," An Garda Síochána said.
"This highlights the importance of property marking – a simple yet effective way to protect your valuables and assist in their recovery if stolen," it added.
In a separate enquiry, Gardaí in Co. Tipperary are seeking the public's assistance in tracing the whereabouts of an agricultural vehicle (pictured below) which was stolen from the Killenaule area last Thursday, March 6.
"Anyone with dash cam footage or CCTV between 5:30p.m and 8:00a.m, from Thursday, March 6 to Friday, March 7, who may have observed anything of note are asked to contact Thurles Garda Station," the Gardaí said.
Earlier this month, Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan said that tackling rural crime presents greater challenges because, “in many instances, its victims are not located closely to a garda station”.
The lack of gardaí in rural areas was raised several times in a debate about policing and community safety in the Dáil on Tuesday, March 4.
According to Sinn Féin TD for Roscommon-Galway, Claire Kerrane, the number of burglaries in rural areas of her constituency is rising all the time.
“Garda numbers are falling and continue to fall across Roscommon and Galway. There is a lack of visibility across all of our rural towns and this is leading to a dramatic rise in antisocial behaviour,” she said.
The TD called on the Minister for Justice to provide a specific policing plan for rural Ireland, and to prioritise areas where garda stations have closed and where garda numbers are down.
