Tag Archives: garda

In recent weeks, there have been several incidents of livestock theft, leading to a renewed nationwide appeal from Crimestoppers, the Irish Farmers Association and an Garda Síochána to combat the problem. Total livestock theft levels in Ireland were 319 in 2013 and 159 in 2014. Launched in February, the campaign is calling on members of the public and in particular those in the farming community with information on the theft of cattle and sheep to come forward with information. Information can be given anonymously to the Crimestoppers confidential telephone service by calling 1800 25 00 25. Alternatively, information can be provided to your local Garda station. Theft of both cattle and sheep is an issue that affects all regions of Ireland, causing significant problems for the farmers who fall victim to the criminals. In one incident during 2014, one farmer had 17 of his 18 calves stolen by thieves, causing significant financial loss. Tim Dalton, chairman, Crimestoppers said, “Crimestoppers provides …

GARDAÍ are continuing with their efforts to identify the body recovered from the sea off Loop Head almost two weeks ago. Kilrush Garda Superintendent Martin McGonnell told The Clare Champion after the body had been recovered that an examination would be carrried out at the forensic laboratory in an effort to make a positive identification. A person who is involved with the Kilrush RNLI was fishing off the coast on Friday, June 12 when he saw the body and made a call to the lifeboat station. The body was recovered at about 11.15am. Kilrush lifeboat received support from the local gardaí and the Kilkee Coastguard Unit during the recovery.

A GARDA investigation is continuing into the cause of what has been described as a “suspicious” fire in an Ennis housing estate. One house completely destroyed and another very badly damaged at Dún Na hInse, off the Lahinch Road, in the early hours of Saturday morning. The alarm was raised by residents of the estate and when three units of the fire service and a garda patrol rushed to the scene they found the end house of the vacant three house terrace was ablaze and its roof had fallen in. The roof of the adjoining house had also caught fire and caved in but the fire crews managed to bring the blaze under control and prevent it from spreading to the third house. Once the fires had been extinguished, gardaí sealed off the scene pending completion of a technical examination. The remains of the house that had sustained the worst damage was also cordoned off and engineers are expected to …

The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and An Garda Síochána have teamed up to highlight the increase in bike related crime. It’s an initiative in support of National Bike Week. Over the last 10 years, the level of bike theft has increased by 227%, with approximately 6,750 reported bicycle thefts in 2014, equating to a monetary loss in the region of €4million. To end May 2015 there have been in excess of 2,100 reported bike thefts nationally, with in excess of 1,600 (76%) reported in the Dublin Region. Only 10% of bike owners are able to provide gardaí with the bicycle frame number In 2014, 34% of all thefts were reported in Dublin City Centre, 40% in the rest of the Dublin Metropolitan Region and 26% outside of the Dublin Metropolitan Region. Twice as many bikes are stolen during the summer months, peaking in July, August and September. Two Thirds of bikes are stolen from public places; the most …

Officers from Revenue’s Customs Service seized a quantity of offensive weapons following a search, under warrant, of a private residence near Kilmihil today (Tuesday). The operation was conducted following an investigation into the attempted importation of a number of stun guns through the postal system. The weapons seized included stun guns, nunchucks, knuckle dusters, extendable batons, a flick knife and an air pistol. Members of An Garda Síochána assisted with the operation and investigations are ongoing.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) and the gardaí have appealed to drivers, in the run up to the June Bank Holiday weekend to save lives by going easy on the accelerator. The organisations have asked drivers not only to reduce speed but to always drive at a speed appropriate to all the prevailing conditions. Over 70,000 speeding offences have already been detected in 2015. Nearly 80% of those detections were for speeds between 10 and 29 km/h over the posted speed limit. A further 10% were in excess of 30 km/h over the posted speed limit. Figures show that the June Bank Holiday has consistently been the starting point for what is traditionally the most dangerous period on Ireland’s roads – summertime. In the last five years, 256 people have died in June, July and August. Over the next three months it is possible therefore that 51 lives could be lost in crashes on the nation’s roads. Minister for Transport …

GARDAÍ have urged car owners to be on the alert when they park their vehicles, following the theft of number plates. Between 5.05pm and 11pm on Monday, May 11, the front and rear number plates of a red Toyota Corolla hatchback were stolen while it was parked on the road outside of Bunratty Castle Hotel. The registration is 04 C 24375. Between 8.30pm on Monday, May 11 and 5pm on Tuesday, May 12, the number plate of a blue Toyota Corolla saloon was stolen, while parked at Cuirt na hEaglaise, Newmarket-on-Fergus. The registration number is 98 D 42483. At around 7.20pm on Saturday last, the number plates from a blue Ford Fiesta hatchback were stolen while it was parked in Tradaree Court in Shannon. The registration number is 06 D 37722. Gardaí are asking for help in respect of any suspicious activity in the areas at the time or to watch out for the number plates on any other vehicles.

A GARDA operation targeting money-lending in Kilrush involved searches of at least one solicitor’s office, local representatives were told last week. It also emerged that the Criminal Assets Bureau is continuing an investigation in the West Clare town. At the recent meeting of the West Clare Municipal District, Garda Chief Superintendent John Kerin highlighted a number of successful operations carried out by gardaí in the division, despite cuts to staffing levels. In December 2013, 11 people were arrested in connection with illegal money-lending in the town, following a six-month operation involving 130 gardaí. The chief superintendent outlined that the investigation included searches of offices, solicitors’ offices, private homes and computers and that CAB is still investigating suspected proceeds of criminal conduct in the area. “This was the only operation of its kind for the last two years,” he stated. Such was the success of the operation that former superintendent in the West Clare area, Seamus Nolan, has been invited to …