Gardaí in Bruff, Co. Limerick are investigating an aggravated burglary at the house of a local service station owner on the 19th of October 2008. Just after 10:10pm the victim pulled into his driveway and as he was about to enter his home he was attacked by several masked men. He was forced inside and had his hands tied with thick cable ties. When his wife returned home, she too was tied up. The raiders were extremely aggressive. One of them carried a knife and the other a shotgun.
They made the man remove cash and jewellery from a house safe and ordered him to go to his business premises and remove cash from the safe there. He was accompanied by 2 men while 2 others stayed in the house with his wife. They travelled in the man’s 4x4 to the service station and back to his house. The raiders made off in the 4x4, which they abandoned at a field behind the victim’s house.
Investigating Gardaí: Bruff Telephone 061 382 940
On this month’s Crimecall we feature the topic of bullying in our schools. This feature includes interviews with experts on the topic of bullying and representatives from the Irish National Teachers Organisation and the Teachers Union of Ireland. Superintendent Colette Quinn, Director of the Juvenile Diversion Programme, will be in the studio to discuss bullying. She will also outline the joint role that parents, schools and Gardaí have in tackling an issue that can have a devastating affect on children and teenagers.
Gardaí in Rathcoole are investigating a burglary at a business park on the night of the 19th/20th November 2008. Thousands of euros worth of electrical house hold appliances were taken by the burglars.
They loaded the goods onto a truck and drove out of the business park at 6:30am on the morning of the 20th November. The raiders also took a white Ford Transit Box Van, with the registration 01 D 87321. This van has not been located to date.
The appliances taken are all Tefal and Moulinex brands and include kettles, deep fat friers, irons, blenders and food processors. They could be stolen with the Christmas market in mind and the public are asked to be vigilant. The proceeds of these sales are funding criminal activity.
Investigating Gardaí: Clondalkin Telephone 01 666 7600
Gardaí in Galway are investigating an aggravated burglary at a house in Gort Na Glaise on Sandy Road and a subsequent burglary at “An Pucan” public house on Forster Street in the city in the early hours of Sunday 24th of November 2008.
One of the occupants of the house had just finished work in An Pucan and had arrived home around 2:45am. He answered a knock on the door and three masked men burst in on top of him. The men tied up the bar man and the other occupants of the house. They were armed with a shotgun and a machete. The tenants were bound, some with handcuffs and others with duct tape.
At approximately 3:30pm, two of the raiders made their way into An Pucan. They took a large quantity of cash from the premises. While there, they rang the third member of the gang and asked him to confirm codes with the barman. Obviously fearful for the safety of himself and others he gave the codes to the gunman.
The remaining gunman took everyone’s mobile phone and destroyed them. He then told them he had to make a call. After a while the housemates realised he was not returning. They managed to free themselves and raise the alarm.
Investigating Gardaí: Galway Telephone 091 538 0000
Detective Inspector Eamon O'Grady will be in the studio to discuss the topic of counterfeit and contraband goods. If you buy counterfeit and contraband goods you are supporting Criminal activity and harming your local economy.
Sergeant Eddie Daly of the National Crime Prevention Office will be in studio to discuss how business owners can benefit from better CCTV systems.
Personal Safety while Shopping at Christmas
Don’t keep presents or other valuables in your vehicle, which may attract unwanted attention.
Get Streetwise
Be aware that the consumption of alcohol and drugs can diminish your senses and make you particularly attractive to criminals.
Home Security over the Christmas Holiday Period
- Be careful where you leave valuable presents/valuables in your house. Most burglars know the traditional hiding places for stowing away such items.
- If you are the victim of crime or violence, report it to the Gardaí immediately.
Detective Superintendant Barry O'Brien will be in the studio to give an update on the ongoing efforts of An Garda Síochána in tackling drug crime in Ireland.
Detective Superintendent Eugene Gallagher of the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation will be in studio to discuss some recent fraudulent activities involving Pin Entry Devices (PEDs). We place our credit cards into these devices when buying goods or services. Crimecall will show footage of fraudsters replacing legitimate PEDs with tampered PEDs. Detective Superintendent Gallagher has some advice for businesses to tackle this means of fraud.
The parents of 15-year-old Amy Fitzpatrick are concerned for her safety. She has not been seen since the 1st January 2008 when she failed to return to her home in the Costa del Sol in Spain. Her mother makes an appeal on Crimecall for information about her whereabouts.
Gardaí in Pearse Street are investigating the disappearance of Marioara Rostas. The 19 year old was last seen at 2pm begging on Lombard Street East, Dublin on the 6th of January 2008. She was seen by her younger brother talking to a man in a car he describes as a Silver Ford Mondeo, possibly with a 01 LH registration plate. The driver gave her younger brother some money and Marioara got in the car with the driver and has not been seen since.
Her family arrived in Ireland from Romania three months before her. They are living in Donabate in Co. Dublin. She was only in the country three weeks when she disappeared. She was last seen wearing blue jeans, white Addidas runners, white hooded top, pink scarf and long black jacket.
Crimecall reconstructed the events leading up to the disappearance of Marioara last May. Two people contacted the Gardaí in Pearse Street with information relating to her disappearance. Investigators are appealing for these people to contact them again.
Investigating Gardaí: Pearse Street Telephone 01 666 9000
The family of 35-year-old Patrick “Paki” Williamson, are concerned for his safety. The Clonakilty man has not been seen since the 15th of September 2008. He was captured on CCTV heading in the direction of McSweeney Quay in Bandon at 6:37am.
Investigating Gardaí: Bandon Telephone 023 522 00
Patrick Lawlor (23) has not been seen since he left his home in Darndale, Dublin on Thursday 16th December, 2004 between 4am and 5am.
He is described as being 5'10" in height and of thin build with green eyes and short black hair.
There is a substantial reward available to anyone who can help the Gardaí with their enquiries.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the Gardaí at Coolock.
Investigating Gardaí: Coolock Telephone 01 666 4200
The family of 74 year old Seamus Clarke is concerned for his safety. He left his apartment in Chapleizod in Dublin on the 16th of August 2008 at 3:20pm and has not been seen since.
Investigating Gardaí: Ballyfermot Telephone 01 666 7200
Gardaí are seeking public assistance to help trace the whereabouts of 22-year-old Trevor Deely who has been missing since 8th December 2000.
Trevor had attended his Christmas party on the night he went missing. Shortly after 3.30am he left Buck Whaley’s night Club on Leeson St. to return to his place of work at Baggot Street. He met a man at the back gate of the building whom Gardaí have yet to identify. Gardaí would like this man to come forward and help them with their enquiries.
Trevor is originally from Naas but residing in the Dublin area. He was last seen at Haddington Road in the city on the 8th December, wearing a yellow and brown shirt and beige cord trousers.
He is described at 6ft in height, of slim build with short red/blonde hair and green eyes.
Investigating Gardaí: Pearse Street Telephone 01 666 9000
Gardaí in Cahirciveen, Co. Kerry are concerned for the safety of John Weeks, a 60 year old American National. John was reported missing on the night of the 21 of July 2008.
John is described as being 5’7” in height. He has a slight build, short grey hair and a greying goatee beard. He is a US citizen but speaks with a Scottish accent.
He arrived in Ireland in February 2004 and lived in Reencaheragh, Portmagee. It is believed he left his home on the 19th of July and has not returned since. The last known sighting of him was in Abbeyfeale, Co Limerick on the afternoon of the 19th of July.
Investigating Gardaí:Cahirciveen Telephone 066 947 2111
Gardaí in Santry are investigating the murder of 34-year-old Anthony Foster. Anthony was gunned down on the stairwell of his Flat in Cromcastle Court, which is opposite the Northside Shopping Centre in Dublin.
On the 18th of July 2008 Anthony was leaving his home at around 1:45pm. He was going to pick up his children at the crèche with his partner. When he got to the stairwell he was shot and fatally wounded.
A witness describes a man dressed in dark clothing leaving the area on a black bicycle around the same time of the murder. Gardaí are keen to identify this man, as they are another individual who was seen around the same time speaking to a child on the grounds of the flat complex, near the Kilmore road. They are also appealing to anyone who may have information in relation to this killing to come forward.
Investigating Gardaí: Santry Telephone 01 666 4000
Gardaí in Blanchardstown in Dublin are investigating the murder of 22-year-old Dara Mc Cormack on the evening of Saturday, 11th February 2006.
Dara lived at Whitestown Park, Blanchardstown in West Dublin with his parents and family. Dara arrived home from work at 8.30pm on the evening in question. After speaking to his father he then began to get ready to go out socialising. He left his home at approximately 9.20 pm. Dara was walking along a footpath which borders Whitestown park and a green area when he was approached from behind by two men, one of whom shot him in the back with a shotgun.
He was discovered by a neighbour who alerted Dara’s father as to what had occurred. He was removed from the scene by ambulance to Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown where he subsequently died from his injuries. Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may for information or who may have witnessed this murder to come forward and assist the investigation.
Investigating Gardaí: Blanchardstown Telephone 01 666 7000
Gardaí in Ballyfermot are investigating the murder of David Whyte, whose body was discovered at approximately 5:20pm on the 26th of September 2008 in an area of derelict ground off Mill Lane in Palmerstown.
As yet Gardaí have been unable to establish the movements of David Whyte on Thursday 25th of September or during the early hours of Friday 26th and are appealing to anyone who may have seen him to come forward.
David Whyte was 35 years of age, approximately 6’1” in height, 15 stone and had a tight haircut. He was found wearing a brown short sleeved t-shirt with a GAP logo on the front and black jeans and white runners.
Investigating Gardaí: Ballyfermot Telephone 01 666 7200
Gardaí are investigating the murder of Gavin McCarthy, D.O.B. 21/03/87 at Lower Sheriff Street, Dublin on the evening of Sunday 19th of October. He was fatally wounded in a shooting incident.
Gavin was in the company of his brother and others outside a Chinese fast food outlet on Sheriff Street Lower when he was approached by a man on a pedal cycle. This man fired a handgun at close range. Gavin was fatally wounded. The gunman fled the area via Crinan Strand, through a lane running beside Sheriff Football Club Hall. He ran onto Commons Street, turning left in the direction of North Wall Quay and the IFSC.
The gunman is described as being 5’7”, thin build, wearing a black ski jacket with grey shoulders and chevrons. He is believed to have worn dark gloves with dots on the palms.
Gardaí would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident or who has information regarding the shooting. They are appealing for information as to the whereabouts of the pedal cycle abandoned by the gunman behind Noctor’s public house. Finally they would like to speak to anyone who noticed suspicious activity at parked cars on Beaver Close in the hours following the murder.
Investigating Gardaí: Store Street Telephone 01 666 8000
The Gardaí in Fitzgibbon Street are investigating the murder of Gerard Moran. Gerard was gunned down almost 10 years ago on the 21st November 1998,when he was shot at St Josephs Avenue, Drumcondra.
On the evening of the shooting Gerard was delivering Chinese takeaway for a Chinese restaurant located at Dorset Street. At 10.40pm an order was placed to the restaurant, which the victim was to deliver to an address at St Joseph's Avenue.
At 11pm Gerard arrived at the location on his motorbike. The bike, a Yamaha 125, was fitted with two freezer boxes. Investigators believe that the gunmen approached from the “Some Like It Hot” direction and that he then shot his victim twice in the left leg.
The gunmen then left the scene on a motorbike with a noisy exhaust. The victim was then removed to hospital were he subsequently died from his injuries on 24th November 1998.
Investigating Gardaí:- Fitzgibbon Street Telephone 01 666 8400
Gardaí in Roxboro Road in Co. Limerick are investigating the murder of 28 year old Shane Geoghegan in the early hours of Sunday 9th of November 2008.
Shane lived in the Kilteragh Estate in Dooradoyle, just outside Limerick city. Shane left his friend’s home in the Ard Bracken estate at around 1am. He was almost at his own home in Clonmore when he was shot at by a gunman who followed him across the street to the back of a house where he was shot a number of times and fatally wounded. The gunman ran to the passenger side of a navy blue people carrier. This vehicle left the Kilteragh estate and turned left onto the Main Dooradoyle Road.
Gardaí found a burnt out Renault Espace at Mill Lane in the Rossbrien area. They believe this may have been the people carrier used to transport the gunman. It was stolen on the 16th of October from the Kilonan/Ballysimon area of Limerick. The car was seen parked at an apartment complex in Ballycummin. It was last seen outside Block B at 6:30pm on the 8th of November 2008. It had left the car space by 8:30pm. Gardaí are appealing for information in relation to this vehicle and to anyone who may have witnessed this brutal killing.
Shane’s Mother and Girlfriend as well as family members and friends make an emotional appeal on tonight’s programme for the public’s assistance in bringing Shane’s killers to justice.
Investigating Gardaí:Roxboro Road Telephone 061 214 349
Gardaí at Kilmainham Garda Station are investigating the death of Vincent O'Brien which occurred at Naas General Hospital on 20th February 2007, following a serious assault on him on 18th August 2005 at Huband Road.
Mr O'Brien was discovered lying in an unconscious state at Huband Road by Gardai who had been called to the scene. The victim was in an unresponsive state. He was subsequently removed to St. James Hospital, where he remained until his transfer to Naas General Hospital. Vincent O' Brien passed away on 20th February 2007.
Investigating Gardaí: Kilmainham Telephone 666 9700
Gardaí in Shankill are investigating an assault that took place on Corbawn Lane on the 12th of May last. The victim in this case helped Gardaí compile a photo git of the attacker. He is described as 5’9”, stocky build, brown hair and had a Dublin accent. He made his escape on a White Mountain Bike.
Investigating Gardaí: at Shankill Telephone 01 666 5900
On Friday the 26th of September at around 4:50 pm, 2 armed raiders broke into the AIB bank on Main Street, Edenderry, Co Offaly. The raiders gained access to the bank by breaking through a wall of a disused building adjoining the bank. Staff members were closing up for the day when the raiders burst through the wall. The raiders took a large quantity of cash and returned the same way they had come in.
Gardaí believe the raiders used a small blue car in the commission of this crime. At the time of the raid, a small blue car was seen speeding from the scene towards the Greenwood estate and on to Father Paul Murphy Street. A witness recalled that only 1 person was in the car at the time so there is a possibility that a raider may have left the building on foot.
The raiders were described as having stocky builds. They did not speak during the robbery. One wore an olive green top and blue workman’s trousers with white runners and black gloves. The second raider wore a blue fleece with black jeans and dark shoes. They were both wearing balaclavas.
Investigating Gardaí:Edenderry Telephone 046 973 1290
Gardaí in Loughrea are investigating a burglary that was reported to them on the 21st of October 2008. Among the large number of antiques and paintings taken from the house were the following:
A Classical Landscape painting with figures inscribed in the bottom centre of the old gilded slip. Gainsborough.
Large desk silver inkstand tray with two cut glass ink bottles with silver tops. The ink bottles are inscribed "DBS" and the centre piece tray is inscribed "Presented to DB Sullivan Esq."
There are on average 11,000 vehicles stolen in Ireland every year. The vast majority of those vehicles are recovered within a very short period of time, usually within 48 hours. However on average 2,000 vehicles are never recovered. Some of these vehicles end up in scrap yards cut up and sold as spare parts. Others are sold on to innocent purchasers usually bearing false identities. The following points will assist the potential customer when responding to a private advert for the sale of a motor vehicle.
The General public should be encouraged to contact their local Garda Station or the Stolen Motor vehicle Investigation Unit if they feel they are being offered a vehicle, which they feel, is not genuine.
POINTS TO NOTE WHEN BUYING VEHICLES THROUGH A PRIVATE ADVERT
1. Research:
Decide model.
Find out location of VIN numbers.
(Stamped in Vehicle Identification Number, usually a 17-digit number stamped into the body of the vehicle).
Bring mechanic or person with some knowledge of cars or Motor Cycles.
2. Private Adverts:
Can you I.D. Seller,
Beware 5pm to 6pm adverts. Try calling outside these hours.
Beware mobile phone. Is it traceable?
If possible, see vehicle in daylight
Never meet seller at your home. Always meet seller at his/her home.
3. Seller:
Is he/she familiar with controls?
Insurance discs/ tax discs are they displayed. If not why not, don’t be afraid to ask.
Does the registration details on the tax/Insurance disc correspond to the registration number of the vehicle. Check for forgeries
Is he/she registered owner/ if not, why not
Check documents for possible forgeries/ watermark etc.
Registration documents Does the Chassis number correspond with the stamped in chassis number.
4. Registration plates:
Are they newer than vehicle?
Are there too many screw holes?
Have they been taken off at some stage (If so why, ask!!!)
5. Windows:
Dealer’s stickers, they love advertising. Has the garage sticker been removed?
Registration numbers etched underneath stickers. Correct numbers etched on windows?
6. Vehicle Identification Number:
Look for VIN plate/ stamped in chassis
Does it match registration document?
Does it show signs of interference?
Has the VIN plate been removed? If so why.
7. Check engine number:
Does it show signs of interference?
Does it match what is on the vehicle registration document?
8. Locks and Security
Does the car have working security alarm system?
Do the locks differ?
Do any of the door locks show signs of damage in surrounding areas?
How many keys does seller supply? Does one key open all doors, and start the vehicle?
ADVICE TO THE PUBLIC
· WHAT TYPE OF CAR/CYCLE ARE YOU BUYING/
· ADVERTS IN LOCAL PAPER/MAGAZINE
· SELLER/ IS HE/SHE FAMILIAR WITH VEHICLE
· REGISTRATION PLATES
· WINDOWS/DEALERS/STICKERS/ETCHING
· VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS
· STAMPED IN CHASSIS NUMBER
· CHECK ENGINE NUMBER
· DOOR LOCKS/PETROL LOCK/KEYS
FINAL ADVICE :
· YOU WILL LOSE THE VEHICLE AND THE MONEY YOU PAID FOR IT
· BE SURE BEFORE YOU BUY
· NEVER FEEL PRESSURED INTO BUYING
· NEVER PAY CASH
ALWAYS REMEMBER ‘LET THE BUYER BEWARE'
Sergeant Jim McAllister is back this month with advice on how to make us visible on the roads as the nights get longer. The clocks go forward at the end of the month and visibility on the roads will decrease, so we should be lighting up. The Gardaí are currently visiting primary schools around the country to advise children to wear clothing that makes them more visible to motorists.
Sergeant Jim McAllister will be in the studio to give an overview of the traffic-related items discussed during the year.
Two Breitling watches were stolen in the course of an aggravated burglary in Moate on the 30th of November 2008.
This was a particularly vicious incident in which a mother and son were tied up in the house while they waited for the father of the house to return. Upon his return he was also tied up and threatened with a handgun and a knife. He handed over an amount of cash in the family home and was brought to his business where he was forced to hand over more cash.
It is believed that the watches stolen may prove difficult to pass on and the public’s assistance is required if these watches are offered to them.
- Breitling Ladies Starliner Watch Model #b7134053-a603 , Quartz movement Stainless steel and 18k yellow gold case and bracelet. Diamond bezel with natural white mother of pearl diamond dial. Very small bracelet as links have been removed.
- Breitling Aeromarine Colt Automatic Model No 910. Blue dial with steel bracelet.