Tractors were stolen in the darkness of night from farmers’ and agri-contractors’ premises in border counties. To try avoid motorway CCTV cameras, they were transported south along the old main roads, accompanied by a scout car. They arrived in the Co Cork tractor dealer’s yard in the early morning hours.
This Case MX140 tractor belonging to Newton Plant Hire, Tullamore, was stolen from Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, in May 2016 and recovered in Gerard Holland's yard in October 2016. The tractor had been dismantled with some parts sold off, which were later recovered. \ An Garda Síochána
This was some of the Garda evidence that led, last week, to a two-year prison sentence for west Cork tractor dealer Gerard Holland (65) of Lislevane, Bandon, on charges of handling stolen tractors and cars. He pleaded guilty to 11 sample charges from a total of 42 at Cork Circuit Criminal Court, which related to more than €600,000 altogether in stolen vehicles.
This New Holland 8360 was among seven New Hollands recovered by gardaí. \ An Garda Síochána
Detective Garda Eugene O’Sullivan of the Stolen Motor Vehicle Investigation Unit outlined that a search of the Gerard Holland Tractor Sales’ premises in October 2016 uncovered a Case MX140 tractor which had been chopped up and completely dismantled, as well as cars, jeeps and vehicle parts. The tractor had been stolen from Castleblaney in May 2016.
This Massey Ferguson was one of two recovered by gardaí during the investigation. \ An Garda Síochána
Further evidence and enquiries established that Holland had received tractors from an organised criminal gang from south Armagh from 2010 to 2016, the Detective Garda said.
Ten tractors were recovered in total, he said, four stolen from Co Monaghan, three from Armagh and three from Co Down.
Three farmers had two tractors each stolen, some of which still have not been recovered. The tractors recovered were seven New Hollands, two Massey Fergusons and a Case tractor. The tractors recovered had a combined value of €212,000.
O’Sullivan outlined that when the stolen tractors arrived at Holland’s premises, the serial numbers were ground off the tractors and replaced with similar but false numbers.
The tractors were then re-registered with false documentation presented to Revenue officers at the local vehicle registration offices.
The tractors were fitted with new registration plates and sold on to innocent farmer buyers. The farmer buyers were told that the tractors were imports from the continent.
The court heard that Gerard Holland made efforts to compensate a number of the victims and raised over €100,000. Detective Garda O’Sullivan said that five farmers had been reasonably compensated, two others had been partially compensated and the remaining two had received nothing.
Do checks
Commenting after the case, Detective Garda O’Sullivan said that tractor thefts have remained reasonably low for the past three years.
He advised farmers and contractors to carry out checks when purchasing tractors or agricultural machinery privately or from unknown or unproven sources.
Tractors were stolen in the darkness of night from farmers’ and agri-contractors’ premises in border counties. To try avoid motorway CCTV cameras, they were transported south along the old main roads, accompanied by a scout car. They arrived in the Co Cork tractor dealer’s yard in the early morning hours.
This Case MX140 tractor belonging to Newton Plant Hire, Tullamore, was stolen from Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, in May 2016 and recovered in Gerard Holland's yard in October 2016. The tractor had been dismantled with some parts sold off, which were later recovered. \ An Garda Síochána
This was some of the Garda evidence that led, last week, to a two-year prison sentence for west Cork tractor dealer Gerard Holland (65) of Lislevane, Bandon, on charges of handling stolen tractors and cars. He pleaded guilty to 11 sample charges from a total of 42 at Cork Circuit Criminal Court, which related to more than €600,000 altogether in stolen vehicles.
This New Holland 8360 was among seven New Hollands recovered by gardaí. \ An Garda Síochána
Detective Garda Eugene O’Sullivan of the Stolen Motor Vehicle Investigation Unit outlined that a search of the Gerard Holland Tractor Sales’ premises in October 2016 uncovered a Case MX140 tractor which had been chopped up and completely dismantled, as well as cars, jeeps and vehicle parts. The tractor had been stolen from Castleblaney in May 2016.
This Massey Ferguson was one of two recovered by gardaí during the investigation. \ An Garda Síochána
Further evidence and enquiries established that Holland had received tractors from an organised criminal gang from south Armagh from 2010 to 2016, the Detective Garda said.
Ten tractors were recovered in total, he said, four stolen from Co Monaghan, three from Armagh and three from Co Down.
Three farmers had two tractors each stolen, some of which still have not been recovered. The tractors recovered were seven New Hollands, two Massey Fergusons and a Case tractor. The tractors recovered had a combined value of €212,000.
O’Sullivan outlined that when the stolen tractors arrived at Holland’s premises, the serial numbers were ground off the tractors and replaced with similar but false numbers.
The tractors were then re-registered with false documentation presented to Revenue officers at the local vehicle registration offices.
The tractors were fitted with new registration plates and sold on to innocent farmer buyers. The farmer buyers were told that the tractors were imports from the continent.
The court heard that Gerard Holland made efforts to compensate a number of the victims and raised over €100,000. Detective Garda O’Sullivan said that five farmers had been reasonably compensated, two others had been partially compensated and the remaining two had received nothing.
Do checks
Commenting after the case, Detective Garda O’Sullivan said that tractor thefts have remained reasonably low for the past three years.
He advised farmers and contractors to carry out checks when purchasing tractors or agricultural machinery privately or from unknown or unproven sources.
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