GARDAÍ in Clare have re-emphasised advice to motorists to protect their catalytic converters following yet another spate of thefts of the equipment in various parts of the county.
An investigation has been launched by Miltown Malbay gardaí when a converter was stolen from a car parked in the driveway of a house at Shanadrum between 10.30pm and 11.30pm on Sunday, January 3. In Kilkishen on January 5 at 12.30am convertor taken from a car in Plunkett Drive.
Tulla garda station have received a report of a converter taken from a car in the forecourt of a garage in Moymore between January 5 and 6. Between the same dates, converters were taken from two cars in different houses in Cooloorta, Boston.
A car parked in the driveway of a house in Willow Park, Ennis had its converter stolen sometime between 9pm on Thursday, January 7 and 8am on Friday, January 8. There have also been reports of converters taken from cars between January 1 and 3 in Muckinish, Ballyvaughan, and from two cars that were parked in a filling station in Ballyvaughan and another in Glencolmcille, Carron.
Clare Crime Prevention Officer Sergeant Triona Brooks stated, “Unfortunately again there have been a number thefts of catalytic Converters in various parts of the county this week.”
She continued, “Again we are advising car owners to property mark the catalytic converter and weld bolts shut to act as a deterrent to a thief using a spanner. Casings are also available from various garages. And park your car as close to the wall of your house / driveway as you can making access under vehicles harder and ensure that there is good security lighting where you park.”