asked the Minister for Justice if his attention has been drawn to reports of a huge number of stolen cows being offered for sale in County Tipperary; and the action, if any, which has been taken by the Garda in this matter.
28.
Written Answers. - Cattle Thefts.
17.
asked the Minister for Justice (a) if his attention has been drawn to the number of cattle stolen around the country with particular reference to County Tipperary, (b) the number of cases involving stolen cattle reported to the Garda in County Tipperary in 1987-1988, (c) if any have been recovered and (d) the action, if any, which has been taken by the Garda in those cases.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 28 together.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that for the year ended 31 December 1987, for the whole country, there were 109 recorded cases concerning the larceny of cattle. A total of 334 cattle were involved. In County Tipperary there were 18 recorded cases, involving the larceny of 43 cattle, 4 of which have so far been recovered.
I am informed that all reported larcenies of cattle have been the subject of detailed Garda investigation and that in a number of cases the question of prosecution is under consideration.
The Garda authorities also inform me that, while the incidence of reported larceny of cattle has increased during the past few years, there is nothing to suggest that there is an organised campaign of cattle thefts either in the country as a whole or in any particular county.
As regards the question of large numbers of stolen cattle being offered for sale in County Tipperary, I am not aware of the reports to which the Deputy refers. I have been informed by the Garda authorities that appropriate action was taken by them in relation to a small number of such cattle offered for sale in the Nenagh area and that a court case is pending as a result of this action.