New figures from the Department of Agriculture reveal almost 50 cattle were reported stolen or missing in the Shannonside region so far this year.
Cows aged between 18 and 24 months were the most frequently taken.
Roscommon recorded the largest number of missing or stolen cattle in the region in 2022. According to Department figures a total of 18 cows went missing with a further seven stolen. One cow has since been returned to its owner in the county.
A total of seven cows in Leitrim and six in Longford were reported as stolen or missing this year. No cattle were recovered in Leitrim however one cow was returned to a farmer in Longford.
Westmeath saw 10 cows go missing in 2022 however two of these were returned to their owner. The Department were notified of 291 cattle missing or stolen in Limerick, the highest in the country.
Theft of cattle across the country is on the rise in recent weeks with two separate incidents reported in Cork and Limerick in late November.
