Gardaí launch search as €25,000 family boat stolen in dawn raid

Gardaí are hoping CCTV footage may give clues that will help trace a boat worth an estimated €25,000 which has been stolen in a popular tourist area.

The 6.5m inflatable craft, also known as a RIB, disappeared from Ventry, outside Dingle, Co Kerry, early on Monday.

The owner, Mark Pettit, a Dublin man on holidays in Ventry with his family, yesterday said their holiday had been built around the boat and was now ruined.

“I don’t think this was a casual theft,” he said. “The boat weighs almost two tonnes and was on a trailer so it would have probably taken a 4x4 to tow it up a steep road.

“There’s also a very tight turn at the top of the road leading out of Ventry pier. The timing of the theft would suggest it had been planned.’’

Mr Pettit, along with his wife and three children, who had been to the Blaskets on Sunday, had left the boat at Ventry pier at around 6.30pm, but it had disappeared when they went back there shortly after 10.30am on Monday.

CCTV cameras spotted the boat going through Dingle at high speed and heading towards Camp, at 5.45am.

The boat has a large white hull, surrounded by blue and grey tubes. It has a white cover.

It has a 150hp Yamaha outboard engine which costs around €18,000 to buy new.

“The boat is very easily spotted and stands out. It’s also possible the boat was stolen for the engine,’’ said Mr Pettit.

“We’ve been coming to Kerry on holidays for several years and enjoy visiting the islands, fishing and water skiing. This is devastating for us.’’

Gardaí in Dingle are examining CCTV footage are appealing to anyone with information to contact them on 066 9151522