GARDAÍ IN north Tipperary are investigating a spate of boat engine thefts from marinas along Lough Derg in recent months.
In recent weeks, the lakeside village of Garrykennedy near Portroe was targeted when a gang made off with seven outboard engines. This followed similar incidents on both the Tipperary and Clare shores of Lough Derg in recent months.
Earlier this week, two further thefts of boat engines occurred at Garrykennedy and Terryglass harbour, while thieves also took a jet-ski from Terryglass harbour.
Gardaí searched a number of houses in the Nenagh area following the theft of the seven engines in Garrykennedy and subsequently discovered the stolen engines at a house in the town.
They also discovered a handgun and a number of items of what is believed to be stolen property.
The search took place after gardaí stopped a vehicle in the Carney area near Nenagh.
Stolen tools worth an estimated €8,000 were recovered from the vehicle and two men, both of eastern European origin, were detained for questioning in Nenagh Garda station.
Gardaí are investigating the possibility that the outboard engines are being stolen to order before being shipped out of the country to eastern European locations.
Angling clubs and boating clubs throughout the Shannon region have been targeted over the past year and many have had to invest in expensive CCTV equipment in order to deter thieves.
Similar thefts have been reported in the west of the country and along the length of the river Shannon. The Shannon Regional Fisheries Board has expressed concern, describing the incidents as a "new and worrying phenomenon".