A man can be seen removing an engine on the CCTV footage.
LITTLE MORE than a week after an event which raised funds for two local charities, Wexford Harbour Boat and Tennis Club was the victim of a group of thieves who stole four outboard engines and damaged a number of boats in the process.
The club was targeted in the early hours of Tuesday morning (May 10) last by up to three males, who were caught on CCTV. They could be seen looking around the yard for a period before proceeding to take the four engines – two of which belonged to club members and two of which belonged to the club itself.
The thieves attempted to take a fifth engine but were unable to remove it. However they did cause damage to the boat. CCTV footage showed that the thieves were in the area between 3 and 4 a.m.
Club Commodore Michael Conway remarked that the thieves seemed to be experienced and knew what they wanted given their inspection of the boats prior to the taking of engines.
The removal of the ditches by Redmond Road had, he said, allowed easier access to the club’s main yard and the culprits from Tuesday morning are believed to have gained entry across the train tracks.
Mr. Conway said: “There has been a spate of these types of theft all over the country. On the same night, Carlingford Lough was burgled and there was a recovery of equipment in Cork. But the belief is that these items are being taken out of the country.”
It is understood that Gardai had contacted officials in Wales to be alert when the ferry from Rosslare was arriving the next day.
Mr. Conway added: “It’s infuriating but also very disappointing from a club point of view as just the previous week, we had an event which raised €4,000 for the RNLI and Wexford Hospice Homecare. The day before this, we’d had a kids’ sailing event. There was a great, positive atmosphere in the club.”
The theft, he said, would set the club back in terms of summer activities as the equipment that was stolen would have to be replaced, at a very significant cost to the club.
The engines which were stolen were: a Suzuki DF50A 2011 (Serial No. 05003F/210036); a Yamaha F25DET (Serial No 6BPK/L/ 1000385F); a Parsun F2.6 BMS; and a Yamaha 8HP 4 Stroke.
Anyone with any information on the incident is asked to contact Wexford Garda Station on 053 91 65200.
