The fire service paid tribute to John who took charge of the animal rescue team.

The judge said the thefts had been carried out by what gardaí believed to be a cross-border gang based in east Monaghan and south Armagh.

The judge said the court had placed the crime at the lower end of the middle spectrum of offending.

Mr Dwyer said his clients crime was out of character, that he co-operated with Gardai and intends to remain out of trouble for the rest of his life.

A number of addresses in the south Armagh area were visited as part of a joint operation between gardaí and the PSNI.

A number of addresses were visited this week.

Breege added that the Quinn family is "sure" that those responsible won't get away with killing her son.