The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is investigating a fire in a commercial hen house in Co. Down which it believes was “started deliberately”.
The PSNI has confirmed that “no animals were inside the building” when the fire was detected at the premises on Letalian Road, Cabra, near Newry.
Police attended the scene of the incident after receiving a report from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service that they were on site dealing with the fire.
According to Sgt. Curran from the PSNI, the police force is treating the fire attack, which occurred just before 7:40a.m on Saturday, September 19, as “arson”.
Sgt. Curran said: “This is the second time the hen houses have deliberately been set alight.
“On Thursday, October 17, extensive damage was caused, and a number of animals killed, during a similar incident at some point overnight.”
He also stressed that PSNI enquiries are ongoing into the incident.
“I would appeal to anyone who may be able to assist with our investigation, particularly anyone with CCTV, dashcam or other relevant footage, to contact us on 101, quoting reference 378 of 19/10/24,” Sgt. Curran added.
PSNI
Separately the police force has reminded farmers that “trailer marking” is a fantastic visible deterrent against the theft of trailers.
The PSNI Magherafelt Neighbourhood Team was recently marking trailers in the Swatragh area.
The rural crime lead for the PSNI, Supt. Johnston McDowell, has highlighted that rural crime is a huge priority for police and “it’s a much wider issue than plant theft, livestock theft, cold-calling and burglaries”.
According to the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) rural crime not only has an economic impact, “but it disrupts the day to day running of a farm business and causes unnecessary stress to a farming family”.
The UFU has said police recognise the interference and harm criminals cause to rural dwellers and farmers and “want to stop those who target farmers and their property across rural parts of Northern Ireland”.
“For this to be successful farmers must support the PSNI by reporting crime and providing as much information as possible to stop criminals,” it added.
