A 31-YEAR-old Ballydehob man appeared at Macroom District Court on Wednesday charged with the theft of 42 cattle worth more than €50,000 over an eight-year period in the West Cork area.

Colm Dineen, of Cappaghmore, Ballydehob, appeared before Judge Joanne Carroll where he faced five charges.

Wearing a black hooded jacket, the accused looked distressed and was being comforted by his parents as he sat in court.

The accused is charged with the theft of 18 cattle belonging to Brian Lawlor, consisting of four Limousine Cross, two Aberdeeen Angus and 12 Friesian, valued at around €30,000 from a farm at Lakeland, Skibbereen, on November 24th.

He is also charged with trespass to commit theft at The Bungalow, Rowry, Rosscarbery between April 5th and 6th 2025 contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act (Theft and Fraud Offences Act 2001).

Mr Dineen is also charged with the theft of three Friesian heifer calves, valued at €1,500, belonging to John Sweetnam on March 4th 2025 at Corrovolley, Aughadown, Skibbereen.

In addition he is charged with the theft of eight cattle - five Friesian heifers in calf and three Aberdeen Angus – valued at approximately €12,000 belonging to Pat O’Donovan on a date unknown between November 11th 2022 and November 15th 2022 at Lissaclarrigeast, Aughadown, Ballydehob.

A further charge of theft of 13 Friesian bullocks, valued at €9,750 belonging to Martin Harte on a date between December 6th and 7th 2017 at Lyre, Aughadown, Skibbereen was also proferred.

Det Gda Hugh Byrne of Bandon Garda Station gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution in relation to three charges and said the accused made no reply after caution.

Det Gda Martin Bohane, of Bantry Garda Station, said that following the accused’s arrest at Bandon Garda Station on December 9th, he made no reply after caution to two other charges.

Defence solicitor Flor Murphy said no bail application would be made at this stage but he asked Judge Carroll to make a note to the Cork Prison Governor that his client receive appropriate medical and psychiatric attention while in custody.

Judge Carroll remanded him in custody to Clonakilty District Court on December 16th. Mr Murphy said a bail application for his client may be made at that court sitting.

Mr Dineen was arrested by gardaí on Monday in connection with the most recent alleged theft of 18 cattle over two weeks ago from a holding pen on a farm belonging to Brian Lawlor near Skibbereen.

The 18 cattle were identified after a search in the Ballydehob area involving gardaí and the Department of Agriculture. They were returned to their owner earlier this week.