There has been a 70% surge in the number of cattle reported stolen so far this year, compared with the same period last year.

Figures obtained from the Department of Agriculture show that a total of 117 cattle have been reported stolen to date.

Laois, where 35 cattle have been stolen, saw the highest number, followed by 25 in Westmeath, 22 in Meath and 14 in Louth.

It marks a substantial increase from the 35 cattle that were stolen across the entire country up to the same period last year. The last time the number of cattle stolen reached above 100 was in 2016, when 125 cattle were rustled for the entire year.

With the number of cattle stolen standing at 117 by the midway point of this year, it is possible that thefts could exceed the 2016 figure.

The higher number of crimes linked to Leinster shows a shift away from the traditionally-held view that cattle rustling was predominantly a border county issue. However, Northern Ireland still has an issue with livestock thefts, according to NFU Mutual.

Last year the cost of livestock thefts rose to £836,639, an increase of 15.4%. The national UK cost figure rose by just 7.4%, indicating a particular problem for Northern Ireland.

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