asked the Minister for Justice the number of cases of cattle rustling reported in the South Tipper-ary-North Waterford area in the last two years; the number of cattle involved; the number recovered by the Garda Síochána; and details of prosecutions resulting from the larcenies in question.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cattle Rustling.
4.
I am informed by the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána that in the last two years there were 30 cases reported to them alleging the larceny of cattle in the area referred to in the question. In all 42 cattle were involved. Five cattle were recovered by the gardaí and there were three prosecutions. Of the three cases in which prosecutions were taken, one was dismissed, one is still before the court and, in the third, two men were each sentenced to eight months' imprisonment.
I should add that the gardaí say that some farmers whose cattle are missing reported them as stolen although, in fact what has happened is that the cattle have wandered off and strayed and are subsequently located. Such cases, are, of course, not included in the statistics of larcenies of cattle that I have just given.
Did they have to come out in posses?
I hope not.