Over 200% increase in stolen cattle in 2022

Renewed focus on rural crime

A farmer wouldn’t have worried about that as much before as they do now.

The number of cattle reported stolen increased by over 200% in 2022 compared to 2021, according to official figures obtained by the Irish Examiner.

According to the Department of Agriculture, 120 cattle were reported stolen in 2022 while 1,362 were reported missing, the figures show, and in 2021, 39 were reported as stolen, and 1,077 reported as missing.