New pictures show scale of stolen agri equipment haul in Tipperary

Gardai have released new pictures showing the full scale of a recent find of hunderds of thousands of euro worth of stolen agricultural and gardening equipment.

The stolen equipment had an estimated value of €200,000 and includes various industrial generators, gardening and agricultural equipment.

It is understood the property  was stolen during burglaries in Ireland and the UK. 

Gardai in Cahir recovered the property as part of a surveillance led operation and ongoing investigations.

Last week a man in his late 20s was arrested and was detained at Cahir Garda Station under the provisions of section 4 of the Criminal Justice act 1984. 

Next Tuesday, June 27 from 3pm to 7pm An Garda Siochana in Tipperary will be holding Property Viewing Days at Comerford’s Yard, Tyone, Nenagh, Co Tipperary.

The aim is to reunite property recovered by Gardai with owners. Members of the public are encouraged to contact Thurles Garda Station 0504-25100 with information or questions.

It comes as the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) is demanding payments of over €4m in outstanding taxes from members of gangs suspected of being responsible for scores of separate burglaries and thefts nationwide.

This is the latest move by the CAB against gangs blamed for much of the crime wave that terrorised rural communities in the past few years.

The bid by the Bureau to hit gangs in the pocket comes as farmers have been warned to improve security on farms after a fresh spate of robberies.

The Bureau has already served the tax demands and is attempting to confiscate properties in part payment.

This follows a previous operation that netted almost €1m through a combination of the Proceeds of Crime legislation and action by the Revenue authorities and the Department of Social Protection.

Many of those being hit were key targets for Operation Thor which was set up in November 2015 and has resulted in a drop of 32pc in residential burglaries.