Gardaí have urged farmers and self-employed business people to be more pro-active in taking responsibility for their tools and machinery.
A garda recovery day has been held in Nenagh, Co Tipperary, with an estimated €200,000 worth of stolen property on display.
Throughout the day members of the public srteamed into the warehouse to see if they could identify and reclaim their stolen property.
Over 500 items were on display ranging from tool kits, chainsaws, strimmers, power washers, lawnmowers, generators and an ice cream van.
Gardaí believe these items have been stolen in the UK and Ireland over the past 18 months.
The theft of expensive machinery and equipment is now a significant part of criminal activity in rural Ireland.
Garda Tom O'Dwyer is a crime prevention officer overseeing the recovery operation.
He urged people to be proactive in protecting their property and to report thefts when they happen. He recommended using ultra violet pens to mark items and to lock sheds.
He said failure to take personal responsibility was driving the cycle of criminal activity.
People who have identified their property today will be able to make a claim and retrieve their stolen goods at a future stage.
