BMWs torched after theft

Gardaí in Co Meath are investigating the destruction of 10 cars following the theft of a transporter vehicle yesterday.

Gardaí in Co Meath are investigating the destruction of 10 cars following the theft of a transporter vehicle yesterday.

Eleven cars and a transporter truck bound for the north of Ireland were stolen at Hardwood, Kinnegad yesterday evening.

Ten of the vehicles and the transporter were later found at Ballyboggan, Clonard, Co Meath, about eight kilometres from where the theft occurred. They had been set on fire at the rear of a property, which also suffered damage in the incident.

Gardaí said one vehicle was missing.

It is believed the vehicles were torched after thieves got into difficulty and the transporter became stuck while trying to move it to the back of the house.

One vehicle was reportedly driven from the transporter, while the rest were destroyed.

"We are aware of an incident involving a transporter carrying BMW and Mini vehicles being set on fire in Co Meath," a spokeswoman for BMW Group Ireland said.

"The driver was not injured and the transporter was on its way to deliver the vehicles to a number of our dealers in Northern Ireland. The gardaí are currently investigating the incident and we cannot comment any further at this stage."