Isn't it a fact that there are more Irish citizens living overseas than in the Republic itself? 
Mostly parked up along the route of HS2, as plenty of stuff to nick hoping for work.
Hence Brakkers council had to blow its budget on anti gypo defences, and farmers had to block all open gateways with scrap cars. Just so we can waste money on a stupid train line that not even the most enthusiastic train spotter can say is needed.
Speaking of which; We're very isolated here, a farm with a few holiday cottages. Just took the dog out for his evening crap, have to take a torch because there's no street lighting and it's pitch black. Came across a blue transit with the engine running parked up by the side of the road. Fella comes out of a gate, stays hello, jumps in the passenger seat and the van drives off. So there were at least two of them.
It didn't feel right so I phoned the owner of the farm, took a few minutes to connect cause there's hardly any signal. Of course she knew nothing about anyone being out there and, coincidentally, there's a bit of a fair in Kirkbymoorside about a mile away.
So, you're not safe from the bastards anywhere, and I suppose I should consider myself lucky they didn't take a fancy to the dog. I haven't told the missus, as she lives in a world where such things don't happen out in the peaceful countryside.