Thieves burn out €1m cache of cars

THIEVES who stole 11 new BMWs worth €1 million on a car transporter burned 10 of them when they were unable to off-load them.

The thieves were only able to get away with one car after they drove the transporter to a house near Clonard, Co Meath, and it got stuck in soft ground.

The raiders decided to torch the rest of the load, destroying 10 of the BMWs and badly damaging the house, which is in the process of construction.

Gardaí were alerted to the blaze at 7pm on Sunday. They suspect this was not long after the car transporter was stolen from a lay-by near Kinnegad, about 8km away.

The gang took the transporter to the house and had attempted to bring it up the driveway. It is suspected the gang wanted to take the transporter to the back of the house to off-load it.

But the heavy load got stuck in soft ground. The gang managed to get one of the cars off the transporter, but were unable to move the others.

They set the transporter ablaze and took off in a blue BMW 520, bearing no registration plate.

Locals said the house is under construction and that no one is living on site.

Gardaí declined to speculate on whether they believe a local gang was involved or if thieves had local knowledge.

Officers are concentrating on trying to identify local people who saw the large transporter on the roads on Sunday evening or the distinctive BMW, with no registration plate, being driven.

* Anyone with information can ring Trim Garda Station on 046 9481540.