Gardai arrest man in connection with Baltinglass timber theft

Gardaí at Baltinglass have arrested a man following a joint operation with Coillte into the theft of timber in the area.

The man who in his 40s was arrested in the Baltinglass area yesterday and is currently detained at Baltinglass Garda station.

Speaking about the theft, Mick Power, National Estate Risk Manager for Coillte said: “For some time now Coillte in co-operation with the Gardaí in Wicklow and Wexford we have been monitoring a number of a timber thefts in the area.

“Camera systems and other surveillance systems have been placed in areas of high activity where valuable sawlog timber has been known to be stolen.

“Most of the stolen material has been removed from Coillte standing sales but some may have come from private (farmer) sources as well.

“Timber as a commodity is in big demand whither it be from the sawmilling sector for sawn wood or from firewood merchants as firewood.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Gardaí at Baltinglass Garda station, on 059 6482610, or Garda Confidential Line 1800-666-111