Farmer John Leahy had his quad bike stolen from a shed just 80 feet from his farmhouse, on 12 December near Newcastlewest in Co Limerick, and is appealing for any information that might help to recover it.

They just pushed the light out of the way, they’ve no fear.

The thieves cut the lock on the rear gate to his farm and the lock on the shed. Mr Leahy believes that they thieves must have pushed the quad down the yard and onto the road to load it.

“I had a sensor light and three other lights in the yard and they just pushed the light out of the way, they’ve no fear,” Mr Leahy said.

There have been a number of thefts in west Limerick and north Kerry, and Mr Leahy says that the rise in rural crime and the lack of garda patrols in the area is a serious issue.

“There are very little garda patrols in the area. The service is suffering from a lack of funding," Mr Leahy said.

“My neighbour had a tractor lawnmower stolen two month ago and there have been a couple of other attempts in the area.

“One woman got up in the night and saw two lads in balaclavas in her farmyard. She shouted at them and they just threw rocks at her in the house.”

The quad was a Honda Foreman 450, and Mr Leahy believes that farm machinery and equipment must be stolen to order.

“I’d say whatever’s happening with quads they’re being exported, I think it’s at the ports they need to find people.”

The incident has been reported to the Newcastlewest Garda Station, and anyone with any information should contact the gardaí.

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