Senior garda∅ in Co Cavan believe they have broken up a sophisticated car theft and dismantling racket following a raid on a premises two miles from Belturbet.
Garda∅ discovered sections and parts of between 15 to 20 vehicles at the yard, many of them almost new. One vehicle had just 130 miles on the clock.
Many of the vehicles found were top-of-the-range, four-wheel-drive motors, some of them cut up for parts. A fully equipped garage-type shed with sophisticated cutting and dismantling gear was found on Tuesday during the search of yard, which appeared to function as a depot for creating new cars out of old ones.
Unlike other car theft rackets discovered along the Border in recent years, this gang do not seem to have specialised in any particular type of vehicle, though the expensive four-wheel drive seemed to be a favourite with them.
Just two years ago, in a joint RUC and Garda operation on the Tyrone-Monaghan border, a gang specialising in stealing and dismantling fairly new Peugeot vehicles for parts was caught, tried and convicted.
The investigation was led by Insp Michael Clancy, of Ballyconnell station, and Supt Pat Doyle. Insp Clancy said the vehicles had been stolen in all parts of the country, with many coming from Dublin. Some of the vehicles recovered still had keys in their ignitions and garda∅ believe the thieves carried out burglaries on houses with the sole purpose of stealing car keys.
They again warned people not to leave keys in obvious places in their homes, such as kitchen tables. They also said that, despite repeated warnings, people still left valuables in their vehicles, such as credit cards, handbags and valuable coats and jackets. Many such items have been recovered from vehicles in the Cavan raid.
Insp Clancy said that although the gang had removed chassis serial numbers, he was confident most vehicles had other distinguishing marks through which they could be identified.
It is understood the yard was unoccupied at the time of the raid. However, garda∅ are confident of making arrests.