The latest information from the Garda Stolen Vehicle Unit shows that the number of tractors stolen in 2014 was close to 16% lower than in 2013, partly due to greater awareness among farmers of the need to check the sources of tractors offered.

The issuing of more severe fines has also been a significant disincentive to tractor theft. The latest figures show that 49 tractors were stolen in 2014 – 34 of them were subsequently recovered. This compares with close to 60 tractors stolen in 2013.

One interesting trend is that less of the newer and more expensive tractors are being stolen.

There was an increase in the numbers of older Massey Ferguson and Ford tractors being stolen from farms, according to garda Eugene O’Sullivan of the Garda Stolen Vehicle Unit.