Bruce Copeland, a Wicklow-based beekeeper with 15 years of experience, expressed his distress after discovering the theft of two of his beehives from his garden. Valued at up to €2,000, the hives contained native Irish honeybees, which Copeland described as very precious and in high demand. He urged other beekeepers to be vigilant and emphasized the need for expertise to steal such hives, as most people fear bees. Despite the loss, he plans to expand his beekeeping efforts next year.