The owner of 18 cattle which were stolen from an outfarm in Skibbereen, Co Cork on Monday has told the Irish Farmers Journal that he will not stop until his cattle are found.

“I don’t get tired, they picked the wrong person this time. I’ll search as far as Kerry and I will not give up,” dairy farmer and agricultural contractor Brian Lawlor has said.

A total of 12 Freisian heifers and six Freisian bulls, born in September and October of 2024, were reported stolen from a shed of 50 cattle on Monday.

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Lawlor has placed a value of €30,000 on the cattle which included replacement heifers for his 220-cow dairy herd.

CCTV footage captured a jeep and cattle box entering the farm yard at 1.10am and leaving again at 3.30am, according to Lawlor.

Lawlor believes that the cattle have not gone far and is urging locals to keep an eye out for cattle being moved at unusual times over the next few days.

“There’s a good chance that they’re not gone too far and that they’ll be moving again in the next day or two again. They’ve gone to ground and they’re hiding at the moment,” Lawlor claimed.

Gardaí are appealing for anyone who may have information to contact them.

Any persons, including road users who were travelling between the R637 road and the R593 road overnight 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.