'It's soul destroying' - Limerick farmer speaks out as RTÉ Prime Time examines scale of farm theft

A LIMERICK farmer is set to feature in an in-depth Prime Time report into farm theft has gathered CCTV footage and evidence pointing to machinery and livestock being stolen from farms nationwide. Some of the stolen property is later transported to eastern Europe, while others are sold at markets around the country.

Jimmy O’Donnell, a farmer from Limerick said there is an immense emotional and financial toll.

“If you steal stock, you're not just stealing an animal. You're stealing six months, 12 months, two years of work… It's a huge investment. So, it’s a massive hit for the farmer. It's soul destroying.”

“We live for our animals. We live with them. They live with us… They're part of the family. But the idea that someone coming in, literally stealing them and probably illegally butchering them is barbaric.”

READ MORE: Top Limerick garda recalls grim discovery of two bodies by burglars in new RTÉ documentary

The programme speaks to farmers from across the country including counties Mayo, Meath Limerick and Sligo. Farmers have told Prime Time that they believe intruders often enter their lands under the guise of hunting, using the opportunity to survey properties before returning later to carry out theft.

As criminals increasingly target rural communities, farmers are fighting back by investing in GPS technology and tracker devices to trace stolen sheep, cows, machinery and tools. The rise in theft has left many in the agri-sector concerned about both financial losses and personal safety.

Some farmers have taken to using drones to spot unwanted intruders on their lands following a spate of livestock and machinery robberies on farms. Prime Time explores where the machinery ends up and what can be done to put a stop to this theft. 

With lambing season, which runs from February to April, now in full swing, sheep farmers have been warned to be vigilant. Sligo farmer Aidan Sheerin had 14 sheep robbed in the middle of the night from a locked shed on his farm.

Aidan Sheerin told reporter Conor McMorrow, “I was physically nearly sick when it happened. The traceability with sheep is practically nil because even with a tag, you can cut the tag out in seconds.”

People from across the agri-industry have told Prime Time that they believe machinery and livestock theft is under-reported.

Mr Sheerin said there are very few farmers that he knows who have not suffered the theft of livestock. “Most don’t report them. It’s pointless to the extent that – what can the guards do? The guards know that once these guys get away and get away to a shed, they will replace them with their own tags.”

Security experts say greater awareness and stronger preventative measures are urgently needed to tackle the problem. 

Retired Garda Detective Pat Shannon said: “We need to go away from the day where we have a gate secured with baling twine.”

An Garda Síochána's first ever rural crime lead, Superintendent Michael Corbett, adds: "Criminals rely on speed, darkness and opportunity. And technology can eliminate all three if used properly."

In the last four years, An Garda Síochána has recorded 324 incidents of livestock theft. In 2024, there were 70 reported incidents, rising to 91 incidents last year. With meat prices currently at an all-time high, the value of livestock has increased significantly, this seems to be a major factor behind a surge in thefts, many of which are also perpetrated at night. CCTV footage obtained by Prime Time shows intruders stealing quad bikes and heavier agricultural machinery under cover of darkness.

In response, farmers are increasingly investing in security devices such as cameras, trackers and drones to protect their property and retrieve it if it is stolen. While some stolen goods are sold at markets or on online sales platforms, farm machinery is often illicitly exported in shipping containers after it is stolen.

Watch the full report on Prime Time tonight at 9.35pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player and read the digital report on RTÉ.ie/primetime.