Targeting of catalytic converters by thieves continues across Clare

CATALYTIC converters continue to be a target for thieves in the county with a number of thefts reported to gardaí throughout Clare. “Unfortunately again there have been a number thefts of catalytic converters in various parts of the county during the week,” said Crime Prevention Officer, Sergeant Triona Brooks.
Between 6pm last Monday and 11am on Tuesday morning last week two were taken from cars parked on Ballard Road in Miltown Malbay and one parked on the Galway Road, Lisdoonvarna. “One of the car owners on Ballard Road heard an angle grinder and when he looked out he saw two males leaving in a red Saloon car after stealing the convertor,” stated Sergeant Brooks.
At 1.15am on Tuesday morning last a red saloon car was seen leaving the Woodview estate on the Killimer Road, Kilrush after taking a convertor from a car. And between Friday, January 15 at 1pm and the following Saturday evening at 6.30pm the convertor was stolen from a car parked on the Lisdoonvarna Road in Kilfenora.
At around 12.15am in the early hours of Sunday, January 17 a convertor was stolen from a car in the Teeronea estate in Kilkishen. Then at 1.30am a resident in Fergus Lawn saw two males outside his neighbour’s house. These males left in a Silver SUV after taking the convertor from his neighbour’s car and were then disturbed as they tried to take another one from a car in the The Crescent estate, Lifford, Ennis.
Repeating her advice to car owners, Sergeant Brooks urged, “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.”