Property applications have been signed in courts in both Donegal and Ballyshannon District Courts to allow allegedly stolen sheep to be returned to their owners after they were sold in marts in Cavan.

The Garda in charge of the investigation spoke to the Irish Farmers Journal where he outlined the details of the case: "Up to 20 sheep stolen from west Donegal were recovered after being sold in Dowra mart in Co Cavan. The mart did not know anything about it and other farmers bought them in good faith,” Supt Colm Nevin from Ballyshannon Garda Station said.

The case relates to the alleged theft of around 80 sheep in west Donegal last summer. Two arrests were made in relation to the thefts and a file has been prepared and sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The property applications were heard in Ballyshannon District Court on Friday and in Donegal District Court on Monday. All the sheep that were presented in the mart have now been returned to their owners.

“We traced back approximately 18 of the sheep back to rams that were being used by the different farmers through DNA testing carried out by the Department.

“We also traced two more through the riddle markings on the lambs when they were recovered.”

Supt Nevin added that Gardaí are now awaiting direction from the DPP on the two arrests that were made.

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