A fisherman and fishmonger has been left devastated after becoming the latest victim of a crime-gang carrying out engine thefts in south Donegal.
Seamus McHugh is struggling to make ends meet selling fish around the various markets and stalls in his native county.
But he is now counting the cost after heartless thieves stole the engine from his boat which was moored at Port Pier, Inver on Tuesday night last.
The Yamaha engine is worth up to €5,000 and is not insured as insurance companies will not insure boatowners because they are vulnerable when the tide goes out.
The theft is the latest in what has become a spate of such expensive engine thefts in south Donegal.
One man had three engines stolen at Bruckless Pier.
Seamus said there is no question that the thieves are well organised.
“I had the bolts welded onto the engine as well as a lock and they still managed to get it off.
“They knew exactly what they were at and they were even looking at other engines nearby with a view to stealing them at a later stage.
“People have said to me that not everyone would buy a stolen engine that was being sold cheaply;y but who is to say that they are being sold on locally and not overseas?” he asked.
Many have suggested installing CCTV along piers but because of privacy laws Donegal County Council has so far not installed cameras.
Seamus said he is lucky that he can make ends meet as he has a business trading in fish which he can fall back on.
“As much as it is so annoying and has set me back I can continue to make a living as a fishmonger.
“But this kind of thing could have stopped someone from making a living. It’s just not on,” he said.
Seamus also revealed that he could not get insurance for his engine.
“Because the tides my engine is left exposed and the insurance company would not entertain me,” he added.
Seamus operates his fish trailer at various parts of Donegal including Letterkenny and also at his shop at Mountcharles.
Anybody who may know of there whereabouts of his engine can contact Seamus and speak to him personally.