Gardaí received 91 reports of incidents involving the theft of livestock during 2025, which is a 30% increase on the previous year (70).

The 91 incidents last year related to 1,091 animals, compared to the 841 animals reported stolen in 2024.

In 2023, there were 80 livestock theft incidents reported, while there were 83 cases in 2022.

Last year, the Donegal garda division accounted for 13% of livestock thefts, followed by Galway and Cork County at 10% each.

Data recently provided by An Garda Síochána shows that the number of reported incidents of 'theft of farm equipment' has been in decline since 2023.

There were 132 of these reported incidents in 2025, down from 214 in 2024 and 228 in 2023.

Last year, 22 tractors were reported stolen, which is up 22% on the thefts of 18 tractors in 2024.

The statistics show that 37% of tractors that were stolen from farms had the owner's key left inside the tractor.

According to gardaí, 64% of vans taken from farms had the keys inside, while keys were left in 25% of stolen quads.

"Each year from 2022, this division has had the greatest percentage of reported thefts of farming equipment," a garda spokesperson told Agriland.