A total of 1,381 cattle, worth potentially €690,500, were reported either missing or stolen in 2022, figures from the Department of Agriculture show.

Of this number, 112 were reported stolen while 1,269 were reported as missing. Of the 112 reported stolen, just one animal was recovered and only 43 animals reported as missing were recovered.

Using a conservative estimate of €500/head, the animals could be valued at €690,500.

Highest number

Limerick is the county with the highest number of animals reported missing, with 227 recorded as missing and 64 reported stolen this year.

Seventeen cattle were reported stolen in Kildare this year, nine were reported stolen in Kerry and eight were stolen in Kilkenny, the figures show.

Seven were stolen in Roscommon, while two animals were stolen in both Clare and Cork, and one animal was reported stolen in each of the counties of Laois, Leitrim and Tipperary.

Missing

The proportion of cattle reported missing is much bigger compared to those reported stolen.

In Meath, 203 cattle went missing over the course of the year, while 102 went missing in Clare.

Some 88 cattle were reported missing in Laois this year, while 83 went missing in Kerry.

Sixty-eight cattle were missing in Galway this year, with 68 also missing in Louth.

Over 500 animals aged over 30 months were reported missing this year, while almost 400 cattle aged between 18 and 24 months went missing.

Comparison

Compared to 2020 and 2021, the numbers of cattle reported missing or stolen is up almost 300 head.

In 2021, 1,027 cattle were reported missing or stolen and, in 2020, the figure stood at 1,082 head.