Livestock with an estimated value of up to €100,000 have been stolen in County Westmeath.

The 75 cattle and 25 sheep were taken from lands near Kilbeggan - between Wednesday night and the early hours of Thursday morning.

Gardaí have launched an investigation into the robbery and are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

Chairman of the Irish Farmers Association's Livestock Committee Henry Burns says it is a worrying incident: