Harbour alert as gang steals €100k of marine equipment

GARDAÍ have launched a harbour watch campaign in south and west Cork against a professional gang that has stolen more than €100,000 worth of marine equipment.

Detectives believe the gang, which consists of Irish and East European criminals, is smuggling stolen outboard engines and dinghies out of the country for sale abroad.

Superintendent Vincent Duggan, who is leading the operation, said that last summer the gang stole an amount of equipment from boats moored at Schull, Skibbereen, Baltimore and Kinsale.

Gardaí believe the value of their haul was in excess of €100,000, although admit it could be even higher.

“The gang appear to have started again this summer. In recent days we have had reports of outboard motors and dinghies being stolen in Kinsale and Skibbereen,” Supt Duggan said.

Thefts of these types of equipment occurred last year along the Cork coastline between July and September.

The good weather has brought sailors out earlier than last year and gardaí believe this may have prompted the gang to start their operation sooner.

“Some of the engines the gang have taken have been quite large and wouldn’t be easy to remove. But the gang seem to be well equipped,” the superintendent said.

Gardaí believe they are highly professional and that last season they probably stored all the stolen equipment before sending it abroad in one go.

They also believe it’s most likely that the equipment ended up being sold in East European markets.

“The equipment is being taken from boats moored in harbours or ones stored on trailers. We realise that it can be very difficult for owners to secure this equipment properly,” Supt Duggan said.

However, he said there were a few things boat owners could do to frustrate the gang.

“They shouldn’t leave valuable equipment unattended on their boats for long periods. Take off outboard motors if they can. They should also take photographs of the equipment and make a record of serial numbers. This will make the equipment easier to identify if it later turns up somewhere else,” said Supt Duggan.

Gardaí have informed coastal watch organisations to be on alert. They are also appealing for members of the public who notice any suspicious activity in harbours to immediately contact their local Garda station.