Arrest made by gardai investigating multiple thefts of agricultural machinery and livestock

A MAN has been arrested as part of an ongoing garda investigation into multiple reported thefts of agricultural machinery and livestock in the Kerry and Cork West divisions late last year and earlier this year.

The thefts, which occurred on dates between November 2022 and February 2023, resulted in farm machinery worth around €110,000 and livestock being stolen.

The stolen machinery included a tractor and slurry tanker which were later recovered.

"Through an extensive investigation conducted by gardaí from Cork West and Kerry, it was suspected the thefts were linked to an organised crime group believed to be involved in the removal of livestock and machinery from this jurisdiction," said a garda spokesperson who confirmed a number of vehicles were seized during the course of searches of residences and farmlands in North and West Kerry.

The searches were conducted on Tuesday by gardaí from the Cork West and Kerry divisions with assistance from the Regional Armed Support Unit from Limerick, along with local Divisional Scenes of Crime Unit members and Community Policing Unit members.  

A man in his early 20s was arrested as part of this operation. He is currently being detained at a Garda station in the Kerry division under the provisions of Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007.

Investigations are ongoing.