Investigation into stolen mussels claim in Carlingford Lough

Gardaí are investigating claims that up to €500,000 worth of mussels were stolen from the seabed in Carlingford Lough in Co Louth. As part of the investigation it is expected gardaí will have to examine the exact location the mussels are said to have been illegally taken from in the eight mile-long lough.

A Garda spokesman would not confirm a value for the stock, but other sources put the quantity at up to 200 tonnes, putting the value based on the final price paid by restaurants or shoppers at between €300,000 and €500,000.

Sources said it would be difficult to harvest 200 tonnes of mussels without being noticed.

While licences for mussel farming are allocated by the Department of the Marine, a fishing source said “there is nothing to stop a renegade coming along and starting to steal the mussels, but you would imagine other fishermen would see a strange boat”.

A Garda source said it was likely expert advice would be sought to quantify the alleged loss.