THIEVES TARGET BRITTAS STABLES
Culprits may have hit several properties around Wick low
BONAGREW STABLES at Brittas Bay was broken last week and a double horse box, a quad bike, a power washer, a strimmer and other expensive equipment was all stolen.
Several locations around Wicklow were targeted in the past week for motorcycles, trailers and heavy machinery.
Bonagrew owner James McKenna, pictured right, said: We wouldn’t hurt anyone so we got a huge shock.’
Marauding gangs are targeting quad bikes, motorcycles, trailers, horse boxes and expensive heavy machinery as they raid different Wicklow locations.
During the week break-ins at Brittas Bay, Roundwood and Arklow resulted in the loss of machinery and equipment worth tens of thousands of euro.
Bonagrew Stables in Brittas Bay were broken into overnight some time between 5.30 p.m. on Wednesday evening and 8 a.m. on Thursday morning.
A double horse box worth around €5,000 was stolen, along with a quad bike worth €2,000, a power washer, a strimmer and some other items.
The raiders gained access to the stable yard after first trying to burn down a large wooden gate protecting the property.
When that didn’t work they used a vehicle to ram the gates open, totally destroying them.
‘ This is the first time anything like this has happened to us in the twelve years we have been here,’ said Bonagrew Stables owner James McKenna.
‘We wouldn’t hurt anyone so we got a huge shock in the morning when we found the front gate had been rammed open and completely destroyed.
‘We work hard and it’s hard enough to keep going as things are without this occurring.
‘We have 50 odd horses here but the culprits weren’t interested in them. We have lovely people who have horses with us here and the yard is more like a social gathering than anything.
‘Our house is only 100 yards or so up the road and we didn’t hear anything but those responsible must have been here for quite a while.
‘It’s quite upsetting to think these people were up to no good on our property while we slept.’
A stable containing the quad bike was also broken into.
On Wednesday night, November 23, a garage at the rear of a house in Roundwood was broken into and a green Yamaha quad bike and a red Honda motorbike were both stolen.
The garage was padlocked but entry was still gained.
On Tuesday night, November 22, an Ifor Williams Trailer worth nearly €7,000 was stolen from Arklow Crane Hire.
A Garda spokesperson said it appeared certain locations were being targeted by well-prepared gangs who were using trucks or other large vehicles to remove the heavy property they steal.