December 16

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.

 

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.

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

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

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 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

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 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.