Warning for boat owners after thefts
Gardaí in Cavan and Monaghan are warning boat owners across the region of the potential theft of outboard engines.
It follows the theft of six outboard boat engines from a marina at Naghan, Belturbet, in the early hours of Wednesday morning, October 23.
At approximately 3:30am, thieves removed four short shaft Yamaha 4hp engines, one long shaft Yamaha 6hp engine and a long shaft Johnson 5hp engine from boats moored there.
Gardaí posted details of the theft on social media and, arising from that received further reports of recently stolen boat engines. “No doubt those responsible will try again somewhere else locally if the opportunity arises. It's important to try and reduce the opportunities we give to these thieves,” a spokesperson said.
Asking that boat owners bring such equipment home and retain it in a “secure location”, the spokesperson urged boat owners to photograph engines and record the serial numbers; while also recommending the Eircode property marking service.
In August this year, the PSNI reported a number of moored boats had engines stolen, some in the Enniskillen area.
In June, a Mercury 80hp outboard engine was stolen from a boat moored on Lough Ramor beside the Lakeside Manor. That incident followed the theft of two jet skis stolen north of the Border, on the Moorlough Road, Newtownbutler , n the early hours of June 8.
In that case a blue Audi A4, a low loader trailer and two jet skis were also taken from a yard, with the vehicle recovered later that day by police on the Lettergreen Road.
More recently, the PSNI has appealed for assistance in locating the side panel and cover of a Hardy 2 Berth Cruiser. The cover is custom made for the boat model.
Along with their warning for boating enthusiasts, gardaí reported that a number of quads stolen lately just outside the Cavan-Monaghan Garda Division area.
“We must also make sure to reduce the market we give criminals and not purchase second hand goods like the above. Please always report suspicious activity immediately,” said the spokesperson.