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A tractor that was stolen in Scotland 18 years ago may be reunited with its owner, the Arklow District Court heard on Wednesday 25 May.
Many farmers have been victims of burglaries, but few hold out hope of ever being reunited with their stolen goods, especially nearly two decades later – and in a different country.
The court was tasked by Garda William Ryan of identifying whether John Turncliffe, the original owner of the 1994 7740 New Holland tractor, which was stolen in 1998, or Brendan Baker, who innocently purchased the tractor in 2011, is the rightful owner of the vehicle.
Mr Turncliffe, from Scotland, said he paid £22,000 for the tractor in 1997. There was no trace of the tractor until last year when it came to the attention of Interpol.
However, it is believed to have gone through at least two more innocent parties’ hands during this time. The court heard that Mr Baker, who is a mechanic from Wicklow, spent £9,000 (€11,496) on the tractor in 2011 and a subsequent €5,000 on repairs.
It was only when Mr Baker went to register the vehicle last year that it was brought to the attention of the PSNI and then An Garda Síochána.
Judge David Kennedy ruled that the tractor is to be returned to Mr Turncliffe if the proper documentation can be provided.
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