Two trailers and a collection of plant machinery were stolen from two yards in Longwood, Co Meath, overnight on 25 March, An Garda Síochána has confirmed.

Agriculture and plant hire business owner Oliver Dixon told the Irish Farmers Journal that thieves stole at least €30,000 in machinery from his yard.

“The thieves broke the locks on the gates and took the cameras down when they came into the yard. They took anything they could lay their hand on,” Dixon said.

“Diesel was siphoned from the tanks, 22 batteries were taken from heavy plant machines, along with a McConnel flail head hedge-cutter in new condition, pallet forks and a clamshell bucket.”

McConnell flail head hedge-cutter, which was stolen from a plant machinery yard in Longwood, Co Meath.

Extra security

Dixon suspects the theft of his plant equipment and the two trailers from a nearby farmyard were carried out by the same group.

“There’s no doubt they had the yard scoped out long before they made their move.

“I was down in Thurles at the time getting ready to take a tractor home when it happened,” Dixon continued.

“There’s almost always someone coming and going to the yard so they were fortunate to have picked a quiet moment. We’ve since put up new infrared cameras that work even if the electricity goes out for extra security.”

Gardaí told the Irish Farmers Journal that no arrests have been made and investigations are ongoing.