Thieves used forklifts to steal GBP70,000 (USD137,276) of frozen meat in two separate break-ins at a new Irish meat factory.

Caulgray Foods, in Bagenalstown, Ireland, was the target for the two robberies on its first weekend open, the Carlow Nationalist reported.

The thieves initially cut alarm lines to the premises and used the company's forklifts to load GBP47,500 (USD93,152.20) of meat into their escape vehicle. Less than 24 hours later, another GBP20,000 (USD39,221.90) of meat was stolen in a second raid.

Police have asked the public to be vigilant of culprits selling meat on the open market.