Approximately 80 large square bales of straw were set alight just outside Navan, Co Meath, around 5pm last Friday 6 September.

The owner of the 8x4x4 bales was alerted to the incident when he received a number of phone calls from passing neighbours.

“A number of young individuals were spotted near the scene around the time of the fire. It was done in broad daylight on the main thoroughfare into Navan,” explained the farmer.

The straw had been stacked along the road leading into Navan, ready for collection and transport.

Gardaí in Navan are investigating the matter.

“It’s a very serious situation, it is arson after all,” concluded the farmer, who estimates the straw to have been worth €3,600.