The thieves made off with the Bobcat digger as it was towed away in the New Lanes Cross area. Gardaí managed to establish that the theft occurred between 5pm last Wednesday evening (October 30) and 7am the following morning when the alarm was sounded.

Investigating officers have also released an image of the missing plant machinery, hoping its distinctive green and white-coloured features will be important in providing critical eyewitness evidence.

“This Bobcat digger was stolen from the New Lanes Cross area of ​​Duleek between 5pm on the evening of Wednesday 30 October and 7am on Thursday 31 October,” a garda spokesman said.

Anyone who may have noticed any suspicious person or vehicle during this period, or who knows the whereabouts of this digger, is asked to contact Duleek Garda Station on (041) 9823222, Ashbourne Garda Station on (01) 8010600 or the Garda Confidential Line. 1800 666 111.