Information sought on Caltra cattle theft

HORSE AND ART .... Orlagh Fahy’s delightful mural on a wall in Craughwell gets the attention of a discerning equine admirer last weekend. The work depicts the town as it would have looked in the 1940s and was painted as part of a village Tidy Towns project. PHOTO: HANY MARZOUK.

placeholder image — HORSE AND ART .... Orlagh Fahy’s delightful mural on a wall in Craughwell gets the attention of a discerning equine admirer last weekend. The work depicts the town as it would have looked in the 1940s and was painted as part of a village Tidy Towns project. PHOTO: HANY MARZOUK.

A FARMER in the Caltra area of North-East Galway has appealed for information in relation to an in-calf cow and yearling heifer stolen from his farm two weeks ago.

The cow and heifer were stolen from a shed and yard at The Glebe, Caltra sometime between the Thursday evening of January 21 and the Friday afternoon of the following day, January 22.

The farmer, who asked not to be identified, said that the black whitehead cow (black rings around the eyes) was heavily in-calf while the distinctive red, speckled, Simmental heifer (white head and ‘white socks’), was about one year old.

He added that there was no question of the animals having strayed from the shed and yard with at least four gates having to be opened.

“It appears that the two animals were walked for a distance out of the yard before being moved on. There maybe someone out there with information on the theft,” the farmer told the Farming Tribune.

He said that the yearling heifer especially would not have been the easiest to load and he has also appealed for anyone hunting or walking in local woods or boglands to ‘keep an eye out’ for the missing animals.

Gardai in Mountbellew have been notified of the theft and can be contacted on 09096-79292 by anyone in a position to help them with their enquiries.

Sgt. Pat Flanagan, Galway Garda Crime Prevention Officer, said that while thankfully animals thefts were a rare enough occurrences in Galway over recent times, farmers should still exercise caution.

“I would urge farmers to observe all of the basic security measures like locking gates, having proper lighting in place and also considering having an ‘obstruction’ in place to restrict vehicular access,” said Sgt. Flanagan.

He also stressed that any farmer or community group seeking tips on securing their houses or farmyards should contact Galway Garda Station, Mill Street, Galway city (091-538000).

“I am ready and willing to meet with groups and communities to talk about basic crime prevention measures,” said Sgt. Flanagan.