Focus on cross-border cattle rustling

RURAL crime and the theft of livestock and property from farms in the border region remains the focus of co-operative investigation between the Gardaí and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), a recent meeting of the County Monaghan Local Community Safety Partnership was told.

“We hear sometimes on the ground that collaboration between the Gardaí and the PSNI on rural crime is hit and miss and not as good as it should be,” stated Cllr Noel Keelan (SF), asking the senior Garda personnel present at the meeting for an overview of what he termed “the recent spike in cattle rustling and the theft of farm vehicles and equipment”.

Superintendent Pat O’Connell said there is an ongoing working relationship between the policing authorities in relation to all aspects of cross-border crime. The Joint Agency Task Force is a forum where gardaí meet PSNI reps on areas of mutual concern, particularly cattle rustling and the theft of farm vehicles. He revealed that a significant arrest has recently been made by the PSNI in this regard.

The senior garda added that he and Inspector Colm McNally have been meeting their counterparts in Tyrone and Armagh outside of the Task Force forum and have held a specific meeting on cattle rustling.

Insp McNally told the meeting that he has appointed liaison in relation to cattle rustling investigations.

“This is something I am very passionate about because I am from a rural background,” he explained. The inspector said cross-border liaison is taking place around cattle thefts, and he thought some recent reports of missing cattle might have skewed the figures in this regard somewhat.

Supt O’Connell said he has been appointed temporary lead for the Joint Agency Task Force and Inspector McNally is the rural lead.