Tag Archives: crime

A WOMAN was scammed out of over €1,700 while trying to rent a property she saw online, Clare gardaí have confirmed. This is one of a number of economic frauds that have been reported to gardaí prompting Clare Crime Prevention Officer Sergeant Triona Brooks to advise would-be renters to be alert for potential scams. Sergeant Brooks said the woman saw a property to rent on Daft, and began a WhatsApp conversation with the person purporting to be the landlord. “She was requested to pay €1,742 into his account which she did. This advertisement has since been removed from Daft and she can’t contact the landlord,” Sergeant Brooks explains. The crime prevention officer urged, “Don’t be tricked into paying a deposit for a property that does not exist or has already been rented.” She advised “Do your homework – look at the average rent price in the area and if the rent is unusually low and it seems too good to …

BURGLARIES rise by up to 20% during the winter months with one in six winter time burglaries involving entry through an unsecured access point, gardaí in Clare have warned. According to Clare Crime Prevention Officer Sergeant Triona Brooks, “Operation Thor is a nationwide Garda operation which increases the number of Garda patrols carried out during the winter months in an effort to prevent burglaries from rising. Unfortunately, they do rise by up to 20% during the winter months. Operation Thor was first launched in 2015 and it has proven to be very successful in the fight against household burglaries and related crimes. It is hoped that people will feel safer in their homes but of course they too have a part to play in crime prevention.” She has issued advice on how home owners can make their homes more secure. “Whether at home or going out, turn on some lights, use timer switches. We are coming into the dark winter …

CLARE college students are being warned by gardaí that drug use can “end your career before it starts”. Gardaí in Clare have issued advice to students starting college this month including urging them to “rise above the influence” of drugs. Clare Crime Prevention Officer Sergeant Triona Brooks said, “Starting off in college is the beginning of something good in your life so don’t let drug use end your career before it starts. “If you use drugs such as cannabis, cocaine, ketamine and MDMA, you are committing a criminal offence and also risking addiction, loss of career opportunities, under-achievement, and international travel restrictions. “Taking un-prescribed ‘study’ drugs or sleeping pills can lead to anxiety, addiction and psychosis. Multiple or poly-drug use is extremely dangerous and increases your risk of overdose or death.” She continued, “While An Garda Síochána strive to keep people safe, we also believe that you can also help keep yourself safe. “Contact the emergency services if you become …

WITNESSES to a hit and run collision near an Ennis school, or those who may have dash cam footage, are being urged to contact gardaí, writes Jessica Quinn. Gardaí in the county town are appealing for witnesses following the hit and run which occurred at 8.01pm on Friday, September 10, at the traffic lights near Colaiste Muire secondary school on Harmony Row. The driver of a black 212 Volkswagen Passat had stopped at a red light with the intention of going straight over Club Bridge. “As the driver waited for the green light a silver or grey car that may have had a 10 or 12 registration impacted the rear of the car it then reversed back towards the entrance gates of Colaiste Muire and drove away in the direction of the Maid of Eireann roundabout, said Sergeant Triona Brooks, Clare Crime Prevention Officer. “If anyone witnessed this collision or anyone who may have dash cam footage, we are asking …

PEOPLE of all ages and all walks of life are falling victim to fraud on a daily basis, Clare gardaí have warned. Victims of suspected scams are being urged to contact their local garda station, with assurances that they will be treated with total confidentiality. This comes as reports of yet more frauds operating in the county have come to light. Clare Crime Prevention Officer Sergeant Triona Brooks outlines a number of incidences during which members of the public were targeted by fraudsters and money was taken from bank accounts. “Unfortunately, again this week a number of people have been the victim of scams One lady got a text from internet banking saying that there had been unusual activity on her account. She followed a link and then realised that two fraudulent transactions on her account. “Two more people got a phone call from a male purporting to be from Amazon saying that their accounts had been compromised and that …

AN Ennis woman paid out more than €1,600 to scammers in the latest incident of ‘advance fee fraud’ to be reported to gardaí in the county. Fraudsters are using this scam to target vulnerable people and those who have difficulty getting loans from established financial institutions, Clare Crime Prevention Officer Sergeant Triona Brooks explains. She is urging Clare people to never apply for a loan from an entity that is not authorised by the Central Bank. Sergeant Brooks confirmed that gardaí received a report of this fraud after a woman in Ennis applied for a loan on-line from a site purporting to be a legitimate loan site. “She was informed that the loan had been granted and asked to pay €699 to guarantee the loan which she paid into a Revolut account. A short time later she received a call from a person looking for a further deposit to pay for administration fees and she then paid €950 into the …

RISING demand for staycations could lead to an increased risk of the theft of caravans, with those planning on buying a caravan also being warned to be on alert. “Going on holiday at home and the use of caravans has become very popular and with the demand for caravans increasing so will the possibility in an increase in thefts caravans,” says Clare Crime Prevention Officer Sergeant Triona Brooks. She urges those with a caravan to get an alarm fitted and to keep doors and windows locked at all times, even if out for a short period of time. “GPS tracking devices can be relatively inexpensive. Consider uniquely marking your caravan on various parts of it and take a photograph showing any marks, scratches or dents,” she adds. Wheels clamps are a visual deterrent, she advises saying, “ use a good standard clamp which will take time, effort and noise to remove. Ensure that you have a hitch lock in place.” …

GARDAÍ in Shannon are seeking information on a car which was used to flee the scene of an attempted burglary in Sixmilebridge last week. Two men, armed with a metal bar and a baseball bat, fled from the house in Gort an Null in a black BMW 5 series after they were seen by an occupant of the house. The incident occurred on Tuesday, July 6. According to a spokesperson for Clare Gardaí, “Gardaí are investigating a burglary which took place at Gort an Null, Sixmilebridge. The injured party observed two males at the door. One was in possession of a metal bar and the other with a baseball bat. The injured party shouted at the two males who then ran and got into a black BMW 5 series, possibly a 2004/2007 model 5 series, which was parked beside the building. They drove off with the boot open. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Shannon Garda Station at …