A farmer in Co Monaghan suspects thieves of stealing his mobile cattle crush valued at €20,000.

The incident took place between 12.30am and 7am on Sunday, 16 May. Other farm equipment including electric fencers, car batteries and a tractor battery were also taken.

The equipment was locked in a farm shed, approximately two minutes drive from the border with counties Fermanagh and Tyrone.

Enda Foy from Dundrummonds, Scotstown told the Irish Farmers Journal that the two locks securing the steel shed door were cut during the theft.

Foy had owned the crush for six years and a number of modifications had been made to aid him in his hoof trimming work.

Trimming backlog

The loss of the crush has prevented Foy from trimming for customers this week, with over 40 booked in for an average of 10 cattle each.

"Hoof problems have been more frequent with the wet weather and cattle being indoors for longer in some parts of the country. Spring would always be the busy period for hoof trimmers," Foy said.

The Monaghan farmer is considering hiring a crush for the remainder of his spring hoof trimming appointments.

"A new unit is priced at €60,000, a cost I really could do without," he continued.

Picture released by Gardaí of a similar mobile cattle crush as the one taken from a Co Monaghan farm on Sunday.

Investigations

Foy described his frustration with the delay in Garda presence at the scene.

"I made the first call at ten past seven on Sunday morning. There wasn't a guard out until after seven that night.

"The forensics team was unable to extract worthwhile evidence from the locks and shed door."

Foy reviewed the footage of five CCTV cameras in the area but was unable to locate the crush.

Gardaí in Monaghan have appealed for information on any suspicious activity in the area on the early morning of Sunday the theft. No arrests have yet been made and investigations are ongoing.