Cork farmer Brian Lawlor has confirmed that 18 cattle worth €30,000 that were stolen from his farm in last month have been recovered.
The cattle - 12 Friesian heifers and six Friesian bulls - were stolen from Lawlor’s farm in the Lakelands area of Skibbereen overnight between Sunday 23 November and Monday 24 November 2025.
“I got them back about half an hour ago on a Department [of Agriculture] lorry,” he told the Irish Farmers Journal on Monday afternoon.
“They’re in OK condition. They’re a bit shook, but they’re alright,” he said.
A Garda spokesperson said Gardaí from the serious crime units in Clonakilty, Bandon and Bantry, supported by the divisional search team and the Department of Agriculture conducted a search operation in the Ballydehob area of west Cork on Monday 8 December 2025.
"As a result of the searches, the 18 cattle have been found and identified.
"Searches remain ongoing at this time. No arrests have been made at this time."
CCTV footage captured a utility vehicle and cattle box entering the farmyard at 1.10am and leaving again at 3.30am, according to Lawlor. He said he still doesn’t know how they managed to get away with 18 cattle.
Information
Gardaí are appealing for anyone who may have information about the theft to contact them. Any persons, including road users who were travelling between the R637 road and the R593 road in the Lakelands, Skibbereen area from that night and who may have camera footage, are asked to make this available to investigating gardaí.
Investigating gardaí can be contacted at Skibbereen Garda Station on 028-23088.
Read more
'I'll search as far as Kerry, I won't stop' - victim of cattle theft
€30,000 worth of cattle stolen in Cork
Cork farmer Brian Lawlor has confirmed that 18 cattle worth €30,000 that were stolen from his farm in last month have been recovered.
The cattle - 12 Friesian heifers and six Friesian bulls - were stolen from Lawlor’s farm in the Lakelands area of Skibbereen overnight between Sunday 23 November and Monday 24 November 2025.
“I got them back about half an hour ago on a Department [of Agriculture] lorry,” he told the Irish Farmers Journal on Monday afternoon.
“They’re in OK condition. They’re a bit shook, but they’re alright,” he said.
A Garda spokesperson said Gardaí from the serious crime units in Clonakilty, Bandon and Bantry, supported by the divisional search team and the Department of Agriculture conducted a search operation in the Ballydehob area of west Cork on Monday 8 December 2025.
"As a result of the searches, the 18 cattle have been found and identified.
"Searches remain ongoing at this time. No arrests have been made at this time."
CCTV footage captured a utility vehicle and cattle box entering the farmyard at 1.10am and leaving again at 3.30am, according to Lawlor. He said he still doesn’t know how they managed to get away with 18 cattle.
Information
Gardaí are appealing for anyone who may have information about the theft to contact them. Any persons, including road users who were travelling between the R637 road and the R593 road in the Lakelands, Skibbereen area from that night and who may have camera footage, are asked to make this available to investigating gardaí.
Investigating gardaí can be contacted at Skibbereen Garda Station on 028-23088.
Read more
'I'll search as far as Kerry, I won't stop' - victim of cattle theft
€30,000 worth of cattle stolen in Cork
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