A DISTRAUGHT Co Tyrone farmer has hit out at thieves who stole his £70,000 tractor from outside his house.
Beef farmer Aaron Mullan (36) said the machine was taken from a lane beside his farmhouse on Doogary Road outside Omagh sometime after 11pm on Friday.
The thieves unhooked a trailer from the tractor and drove off.
Mr Mullan said the theft will badly affect his work.
"We hadn't bought a tractor in 15 years so in 2014 we bought this one," he said.
"It's £70,000, half the price of a house. I just can't afford to replace it. Even if my insurance does pay out that could take a year."
Mr Mullan said he may have to employ a contractor to help with essential farm work following the theft.
"We really just need it back," he said.
He said the theft had been reported to police but he was worried that the tractor was "now long gone".
He appealed to anyone with information to contact police on 101.
