Garda warning over farm thefts
Gardaí are warning farmers to be vigilant following several thefts of agricultural equipment in the Nenagh district over recent days.
Among them was the theft of a vital piece of equipment stolen from a Silvermines farm during the hours of Sunday night and Monday morning of last week. The injured party is urging fellow farmers and members of the public to help find the mobile calf feeder that was stolen from his holding.
Willie Moloney, a prominent member of the Irish Farmers Association in North Tipperary, woke up to discover that the feeder was missing. He has information to suggest that it was stolen at around two o'clock on Monday morning of last week. It was seen being transported in the Nenagh direction at around that time, close to Kilmore graveyard.
The 50-teat feeder, taken from a field beside Mr Moloney's house, is distinctive in that there were only 25 teats in place, 20 of them coloured black and five white.
Anyone in the general area that has CCTV cameras is asked to check footage between 2.05am and 3am on August 21st. Anyone with information is asked to please contact 087-2332103 or Nenagh Garda station, (067) 50450.
A number of thefts of agricultural machinery have been reported in the district recently and gardaí in Nenagh are encouraging owners to take security measures. People in rural areas are urged to report any suspicious activity immediately.
A warning has also been issued following break-ins at two creches in Nenagh over the last week. It is understood that the suspects attempted to find cash in both cases.
Gardaí are warning business owners not to keep large sums of cash in their offices. School management should be particularly wary at this time of the year, when parents are likely to paying for books, uniforms and other items for students.
Householders are also advised against leaving their homes open or keys hidden in easily accessible locations for returning schoolchildren. And motorists are asked to be mindful of increased traffic and the presence of children as schools reopen this week.
Meanwhile, three Dublin men have appeared in court following a garda investigation into a number of other incidents in the Nenagh area, including a burglary at the Tippo premises at Kilkeary over the August bank holiday weekend. The three are among four men arrested as part of an ongoing investigation into burglaries and thefts in the Tipperary and South Eastern Region.
Gardaí from Tipperary and Carlow, with armed unit support, carried out searches in the Clondalkin, Ballyfermot and Pearse St areas of Dublin on Wednesday of last week. Four males were arrested and detained at Roscrea, Thurles, Nenagh and Carlow garda stations. Gardaí recovered a large quantity stolen property, including a trailer, power tools and other assorted items.
Three of the men appeared before Nass District Court on Thursday. They are charged with theft and possession of stolen property.
Among the charges are thefts at Tippo on August 6th and at Nenagh Railway Station on May 21st and August 13th last. All three were granted bail and are to appear in court again in the near future.