A 31-year-old man has been charged with cattle rustling after 18 cows went missing from a farm in Co Cork last month.
Colm Dineen, of Cappaghmore, Ballydehob, appeared before Macroom District Court charged with the theft of more than €50,000 worth of animals.
The theft was discovered after farmer Brian Lawlor went to check on his herd near Skibbereen on 24 November.
On Monday, gardaí searched a farm in the Ballyhob area of West Cork and discovered the 18 missing animals there, 12 Friesian heifers and six Friesian bulls.
Mr Dineen was charged with the theft of the 18 cattle, which are valued at approximately €30,000.
Detective Garda Hugh Byrne also charged Mr Dineen with other counts, including theft at a bungalow in Rosscarbery in April, and the theft of 13 Friesian bullocks, valued at almost €10,000, in Skibbereen, in December, 2017.
He said Mr Dineen made no reply when the charges were put to him.
Detective Garda Martin Bohane also gave evidence of charging Mr Dineen with stealing three Friesian heifer calves, valued at €1,500 from a farm in Skibbereen in March, 2023, and stealing another eight cattle, valued at approximately €12,000 from Ballydehob in November, 2022.
Defence Solicitor Flor Murphy said no bail application was being made today.
Judge Joanne Carroll remanded Mr Dineen in custody, and asked the prison governor to provide him with a psychiatric assessment and with appropriate medical and psychiatric care.
He was remanded in custody to appear before the court again next Tuesday.
