Gardaí in Galway are investigating after over 40 birds were stolen from a farm in Corrandulla, Co Galway.

The birds are estimated to be worth up to €10,000 by their owner, young farmer Michael Gilmore.

Gardaí told the Irish Farmers Journal that investigations are ongoing.

The birds, many of which are top show and breeding stock, were taken between 9pm on Friday 9 December and 6am on 10 December. Two of the birds were Christmas turkeys which were for Michael’s family Christmas dinner.

Among the birds stolen were show hens, modern game, call ducks, Silkie hens and Muscovy ducks.

Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal, Michael said: “In value I’ve lost between €5,000 and €10,000 - when I add up the work and feed that is gone into them, it’s a lot more. I noticed the back door of the shed was open on Saturday morning and they were gone.”

Restocking

He said he will have to look at the financial side of restocking the birds and that his main worry is that he will “be done again”.

Michael has used the money generated from the birds to fund his annual pumpkin patch and reinvested it in his business. This year, he donated €1,000 to the Jack and Jill Foundation from the pumpkin patch.