Yachts stolen for British market

GARDAÍ have warned that a gang may be planning to steal yachts around the coast and sell them in Britain.

The warning came yesterday after a 26-foot yacht was found abandoned in the New Ross area. It had been stolen from Crosshaven, Co Cork and gardaí believe that if it hadn’t been damaged it would have been sold in Britain.

The vessel was taken from the boatyard in Crosshaven prior to Thursday, July 24. Its owner had last used it the previous Sunday.

“We believe it was going in the direction of England. The yacht, valued at around 25,000, was abandoned after it appeared to hit rocks. A man who was on the boat was later seen heading in the direction of Rosslare,” a garda spokesman said.

He advised boat owners to keep a careful eye on their vessels in case there were more thefts.

“People should do regular checks or get somebody living locally to keep an eye on their yacht,” the spokesman added.

Gardaí previously issued a warning to builders and plant equipment owners after a gang started stealing machinery to order. Most of the machinery was stolen in East Cork and gardaí believe it was smuggled to Britain.

A cement mixer worth more than €130,000 was stolen from a yard in Carrigtwohill. A valuable mini-digger was taken from nearby Little Island and three new vans were taken from Abernethy’s Bakery in Castlemartyr.

Seizures of equipment stolen in Britain have also been made here in recent months, especially equipment taken from building sites. Garda sources said they believed that gangs based in Ireland and the UK were cooperating with each other.