31st January, 2012

The Monaghan branch of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA) has today (31st January) urged vigilance amongst the farming community following the recent reports of tractor thefts in the county.

Jim Harrsion, member of the ICSA national executive, vice chairman of the ICSA suckler committee and farmer from Castleblayney, has said that vigilance as well as prevention is the only way to stop this growing trend. “It has gotten to a very worrying stage. Farmers are being directly targeted by criminals and the situation is particularly prevalent in Monaghan. In the last week alone, two tractors on the Monaghan – Armagh border were stolen from the same farm. There are also a number of notices in Ballybay mart by farmers offering rewards on information regarding their stolen tractor.

“Tractors are necessary pieces of equipment for every farmer in the country. Tractors are very expensive with a very high resale possibility meaning that they can be stolen and sold for huge profits within hours. Therefore farmers should be doing all within their power to protect their assets. Exploring the possibility of installing immobilisers in newer tractors or trackers in all machines can effectively negate the threat of criminals stealing them. Farmers and the wider rural community need to be especially vigilant in these times as we targets for thieves and we must be prepared to outsmart the criminals,” Mr. Harrison said.