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.
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.
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 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
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
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.