Farmers are facing a quad bike theft epidemic and An Garda Síochána needs to do more target the criminals, says a Westmeath sheep farmer.

John Fagan had his Honda 500cc stolen from his farmyard at around midnight on Tuesday 13 August.

“They came in through the fields and rolled the quad right out from under my nose,” he told the Irish Farmers Journal.

“We caught them on CCTV. The pair were absolutely brazen.”

Epidemic

Fagan says he’s spoken to neighbouring farmers and realised that there are multiple thefts around his area and further afield.

“The thefts are reaching epidemic levels and gardaí need to do more to put a stop to it.

“There were recent thefts in Delphin, just up the road from me and my own cousin next door is considering not buying a new quad in case this one is stolen again.

“I’m a sheep farmer and I need a quad, but I’ll be worried in case they take a new one.

“The quad was worth €10,000. If I went out and robbed that out of a bank, I wouldn’t get away with it, but these lads appear to be organised and they’re getting away with it.”

He encouraged all farmers to be vigilant and lock their gates to prevent trespassers getting in.

There is also a €500 reward offered for any information about the theft of the quad that leads to its recovery.

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