Missing goats in Waterford are believed to have been slaughtered and their skins used to make bodhráns.
Locals in the village of Passage East are shocked at the disappearance of almost an entire herd of the ancient animals and they fear the goats were stolen for their skins in order to make the traditional Irish musical instrument.
A reward of €1,000 has been offered for information on the disappearing goats and local councillor Pat Fitzgerald has put much thought into solving the mystery.
“Goats just don’t disappear into thin air and one would have to ask what happened but we just don’t know,” he told the Waterford News & Star.
“Everyone likes the goats and even though we did take them for granted most of the time people are up in arms about this. They are saying that if people are allowed to get away with this then what’s to say they won’t come along and round up everyone’s dogs and make away with them.”
The Gardaí are on the case and an investigation has been launched by the Chief Veterinary Officers of the Department of Agriculture in Waterford.
