Leitrim family business offers reward after ‘tens of thousands of euro' worth of equipment stolen

Irish Independent

2 days ago

Dara Reynolds and his father run a farm and construction business in Ballinamore, Co Leitrim.
After midnight on Monday, Dara left the yard which is located close to the family home but on his return on Tuesday morning, he was met by an open gate.
He knew straight away there was something wrong and found that a large number of tools, equipment and two vehicles had been stolen.
The tools include a Renault Master van along with a quad trailer, a Yamaha r6 motorbike, a ride-on power float and a bowser power washer.
The van is quite distinctive with white and red markings around the side and back.
A number of concrete finishing tools were also taken.
Dara said the family now face the daunting task of restarting their business unless they get the tools returned.
"The tools and the work that we do are our pride and joy and they are what we live for.
"To think that someone were watching us in the yard, it is desperate.
"My father set up this company long before I was around and it is a family run business.
"I am 27 now and I am at it the last 10 years since I finished school.
"My father has worked night and day his whole life to build it and he is known the length and breadth of the country.
"He is a straight and honest man and to see tens of thousands of euro worth of gear gone, it is desperate.
"We will have to try and start over again. To take a hit like this and have to go out and try and start buying again, it is unimaginable to be honest,' said Dara.
Dara has now put up a substantial reward for anyone who comes forward with solid information that leads to the recovery of the tools and vehicles.
He said the tools are not typical everyday household tools and he has urged everyone to be mindful if they are approached by anyone with these items for sale.
'If I could get any kind of concrete information that could lead to us getting the tools back, I would give out a substantial reward.
"You won't decide to go into our game in the morning and buy these tools. These are built up over a long period of time.
"They are minded, looked after and kept clean.
'If anyone has information, please get in touch with me or contact the local gardaí, ' said Dara.
A Garda spokesperson said, 'Gardaí in Co Leitrim are investigating the theft of number of items from the yard of a property at Ballinamore between 12:10am and 6:20am on Tuesday, 15 July 2025.
'The stolen items included a 2016 white Renault Master van, a quad trailer holding a ride-on powerfloat, a motorbike, a concrete drill, a chainsaw, a manual powerfloat, a cement mixer and a power washer.
'Investigation ongoing.'