Milking machine units worth €10,000 stolen from Limerick farm

THE VOTE to back or reject the proposed €500m deal - Kerry Co-op purchasing Kerry Group’s dairy division - is dominating most Limerick dairy farmers’ minds this week.

At noon in the INEC Arena in Killarney this Monday, December 16, eligible, voting shareholders will determine the future direction of their co-operative society. 

A huge crowd, with many attendees standing, turned up at a Munster Milk Producer Organisation public information meeting at the Longcourt House Hotel in Newcastle West last Monday night. Independent experts addressed the meeting and took questions, including outlook for milk price given the funding obligations on Kerry Co-op and the impact on co-op shareholders.

However, one Limerick dairy farmer has more immediate concerns after he had five milking machine units stolen.

Garda John Finnerty, of Henry Street garda station, has appealed for the public’s assistance in helping investigating officers solve the crime.

He said a thief targeted a farmyard at O’Malley’s Cross in Bulgaden between 6pm last Friday evening, December 6 and 10am on Saturday morning, December 7. 

“The thief broke the lock on the gate leading into the farmyard. Then, he broke the lock on the door leading into the milking parlour. He went into the milking parlour and stole five Dairymaster milking machine units,” said Mr Finnerty.

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The Limerick Leader understands that depending on their sophistication the estimated loss is €2,000 per unit.

“The thief would have utilised some form of transport to bring the milking machine units away with him,” said Garda Finnerty, who appealed for witnesses. 

“If you were in this area - O Malley’s Cross, Bulgaden - at any stage between 6pm last Friday evening and 10am on Saturday morning and you noticed unusual movements, then we would like to hear from you. Contact the gardai at Kilmallock at 063 98018 or Bruff on 061 382940,” said Garda Finnerty.

Separately, there is also an appeal for a missing Hereford (black) steer, 400kgs approximately,which has been missing from the Ayle area of Doon since Friday, November 22. It is understood it was being loaded at the time but it escaped and hasn’t been since. Any information, contact 087 7920127.