MISSING: three-and-a-half feet tall, six-feet wide, black and white pedigree Holstein Friesian heifer. The prized heifer was stolen after the Virginia Show in Co. Cavan and is estimated to be worth well in excess of €10,000.

The 10 month heifer’s DNA is registered to its owner Ivan Robinson from Ballygowan, Co. Down which renders it virtually useless to anyone else.

The cow was a finalist in the prestigious Bailey’s Irish Cow Competition. Robinson said: “I had two cows for showing, and I brought the calf as well for a competition for calves, but it went missing from the marquee sometime between 7.30pm and 8pm that evening.

“I am appealing for its return because calves are like dreams and this one was going to be a wonderful animal, and I have her grandmother.

“I have never known an animal to be stolen from a show before, and I thought someone was playing a joke on me when I returned to the marquee and saw she was missing,” said Mr Robinson.

“She will stick out like a sore thumb if she turns up in an ordinary herd. In fact whoever has her will never be able to show her off because she is very special,” said Mr Robinson.

Robinson is offering a €10,000 reward for the return of the heifer. “What I would like to see happen is she would be returned to a local priest or community leader. Tie her up and leave her outside a church, but please give her back,” he said.

Gardaí in Virginia are investigating the incident