21 December 2020

Gardaí in Blackrock are investigating a burglary and unauthorised taking of a vehicle that occurred on the Lower Kilmacud Road in Dundrum on October 9th 2020.There were two male suspects involved.

During the burglary entry was gained through a rear window and a number of other items were stolen. An attempt was then made to take the car in the driveway but this was interrupted by the Injured Party who observed the two suspects. The suspects left on foot following a chase by the Injured Party. The attempt to take the car was unsuccessful but a number of other items were taken from the house during the course of the burglary and some damage was done to the vehicle.

Description of suspect:

- In his late 20’s and around 6ft in height
- 80 – 85kg in weight with an athletic build
- Brown eyes with a small bump on the bridge of his nose.
- He had cropped brown hair with a curled fringe
- He was wearing dark grey tracksuit bottoms, a white-hooded jacket with a colourful design and black runners

Gardaí at Blackrock Garda Station are Investigating 01 666 5200

On the 11 August 2020 between 10.30 and 11am a blue Ford Focus was seen driving around the estate. Eventually the car pulled up outside a house on Knocksedan Demense. One man got out of the car and walked up to the vacant-looking house and rang the doorbell.  There were three children who were home alone inside the house who did not answer the doorbell when it rang.

The suspect returned to the car that was parked around the corner.  A short while later two men got out of the car and walked towards the house.  CCTV in the area captures the two men, first attempting to enter a glass sliding door and then forcing open another side door with a crowbar.

The suspects entered the house and looked around for a while but were scared off when they realised that there were children upstairs. They are then seen exiting the house empty handed. They ran to the Ford Focus that was parked around the corner and were later seen driving at speed out of the housing estate. 

Description of Suspects

The first male is described as being in his early to mid-20’s, 6ft in height, dark short hair, white skinned with a Dublin accent wearing black runners, black bottoms with a white logo on his left upper leg, black top with white logo on left shoulder, black baseball, black surgical mask and holding crow bar.

The second male is described as being 6ft, and wearing a dark navy /blue jacket with a small white logo on his left chest, dark tracksuit bottoms, dark runners, grey baseball cap, dark hair with light blue surgical mask.

Appeal

Gardaí are seeking any information on the following:
 
• Light Blue Ford Focus with no hub caps and no petrol cap. Year range from 2005 to 2008.
• Anyone who might have been in the area of Old Fort Wood and Knocksedan Wood on 11/8/20 between 10.30am and 11.30am who might have observed this vehicle or persons.
• Any person in the area, matching the descriptions above.
• Anyone with information on this crime.

Gardaí in Swords Garda Station are investigating 01 6664700

The Commissioner addressed a number of topics including the policing challenges that the Covid-19 pandemic has posed for An Garda Síochána, explaining the response in terms of Community Engagement and emphasizing the need for everyone to adhere to the health advice and regulations.

Victims of Domestic Abuse were reassured by the Commissioner who highlighted the third phase of Operation Faoiseamh which is proactive in reaching out to support victims and has continued to focus on the enforcement of court orders and prosecution before the courts. Victims or their family and friends were encouraged to make contact with An Garda Síochána.

The excellent work of An Garda Síochána was highlighted in terms of preventing and detecting crime. The Commissioner spoke about the many successes throughout the year in terms of organized crime. For example the seizure of €33m in drugs and €7m in cash during 2020.

The Commissioner emphasized An Garda Síochána’s commitment to reducing fatalities and serious injuries on our roads, and that Ireland has become the second safest country in the European Union. He encouraged people to stay safe and reminded the public of the Christmas and New Year safety campaign.

The Commissioner acknowledged the dedication and flexibility of members of An Garda Síochána who have risen to the extraordinary challenge in order to keep people safe this year.

Finally the Commissioner acknowledged the public effort in helping to save lives and thanked them for their patience and understanding as Gardaí operated checkpoints, high visibility patrols and regular checks. He encouraged those who are struggling and need help to make contact with their local station. The Commissioner impressed upon the public that despite a vaccine being on the horizon, we still need to be vigilant and particularly to avoid big gatherings over the Christmas. The Commissioner concluded by wishing everyone a peaceful Christmas and Happy New Year.

The Gardaí at Ballina are investigating the murder of 28 year old Sandra Collins who went missing on Monday the 4 December 2000 from the small village of Killala, Co. Mayo.  She had lived in the village with her Aunt who she looked after for a number of years. Sandra left her Aunt's house at Courthouse Street, Killala on the Monday evening at 7.30 pm.

At 7.45pm she arrived at a local shop where she bought some groceries for her Aunt and a neighbour.  She was last seen at the local takeaway at around 11:15pm that night.  Four days later on the 8 December 2000 her fleece was found on the pier in Killala. A half-pound of sausages that Sandra bought in the shop earlier where still in the pocket of the fleece.

Sandra’s brother Patrick made an appeal for information to help them find her remains, and to allow them to bury their sister. Chief Superintendent Tony Healy was in studio to explain the impact of such a case on a small community like Kilalla and made the following appeal.
 
Appeal:

• We would like to thank the public for their assistance to date. However despite an extensive investigation both Sandra’s family and An Garda Síochána are still hoping that you can you provide the investigation with any information that may assist the team?
• Do you have information on the whereabouts of Sandra’s remains? Can you take us from that last sighting of Sandra at the local chipper in Kilala to where her remains are now?
• The investigation continues as it has done for the last 20 years. An Garda Síochána is committed to seeking justice for Sandra and the Collins family. We may or may not have spoken to you previously, either way it’s never too late to assist the investigation. Perhaps you have information you thought was insignificant at the time, or it could be that after 20 years your circumstances have changed. We would like to assure you that you will be treated in a respectful, compassionate and sensitive manner.
• There is a Crime stoppers reward for significant information (1800 250 025).
• Sandra’s family have been grieving her loss for 20 years now. It is possible that information you have may help progress this investigation and help give the Collins’ family some closure as they approach another Christmas without her. It’s never too late to do the right thing and give Sandra’s family what they deserve.

Gardaí in Ballina Garda Station are investigating 09620560

The Gardaí at Balbriggan are investigating the murder of Sean Little, on Tuesday 21st May 2019 at approximately 11pm at Rowans Little just off the M1 motorway, close to junction 5, on a road that leads to Walshestown. Sean Little was murdered at the side of the roadway and his car, a Vauxhall Insignia, was burnt out on the roadway beside his body.
 
Gardaí believe that a black vehicle which can be seen following the Vauxhall Insignia up the off ramp of the northbound slipway at Junction 5 of the M1 Motorway may have been involved. Sean Little’s car, registration number 181 D 467036 can be seen turning left at the top of the junction in the direction of Walshestown.

Soon after a black vehicle can be seen exiting at the same junction and turn left in the same direction as Sean’s car. A few minutes later the black car reappears, drives across the flyover, turns off its lights and drives onto the southbound slipway of the M1 Motorway in the direction of Dublin. It then turns on its Head Lights and drives at speed towards Dublin.
 
Appeal:

• Did you see either the victim’s car or the black saloon type car travelling on the M1 Nortbound prior to the murder? Or shortly after the murder travelling southbound having entered the M1 at J5 at approximately 11.10pm on the 21/05/2020? This car travelled at speed and was overtaking and undertaking other traffic. Did anyone see where this vehicle left the M1 motorway?
• We believe that the people responsible for the death of Sean Little travelled in this car. Do you know the identity of the occupants of this car? Do you know the description of this car or its movements either prior to or after the murder?
• Do you have any other information no matter how insignificant you feel it maybe, that will assist the investigation team?

Gardaí in Balbriggan Garda Station are investigating 01 8020510

Gardaí at Carlow Garda Station are investigating a robbery that took place at a Supermarket on the 24 November 2020 at approximately 8.20pm.

On the date in question a male suspect gained access into the closed Supermarket and made his way towards the back office, where two members of staff were counting cash. The suspect gained entry to the office where the two staff members were. During the robbery the staff were threatened and demands were made that the till contents and the safe be opened. They were subsequently tied up with Duct tape.  The suspect then left in an unknown direction. A significant amount of cash was stolen.

The suspect was wearing a distinctive desert camo jacket with a cream hoodie underneath, dark tracksuit bottoms with a Liverpool logo and blue Nike runners.

Appeal

● Were you in this area on the night in question?

● Do you remember seeing anyone fitting the suspect’s description?

● Do you remember seeing a man acting suspiciously in the area before or afterwards?

Gardaí at Carlow Garda Station are investigating 059 9136620

Gardaí in Pearse Street Garda Station are investigating a robbery that occurred at a bookmakers on Grand Canal Street Lower on the 29/8/20.

On the night in question two suspects were seen in the area around Grand Canal Street Lower. Suspect 1 was seen waiting down the street from the bookmakers and Suspect 2 was seen on a street adjacent.

Suspect 1 waited until the bookmakers was about to close before entering under the half-drawn shutter. He was armed with a gun, threatened the staff member, and went behind the counter. The second suspect also entered the bookmakers at this time.

The shutters were subsequently fully closed and the suspects and staff members proceeded to the back room where the suspects gained access to that day’s cash intake. Meanwhile another staff member appeared outside and attempted to gain entry to the premises. At this point the suspects put up the shutters. The staff member who was outside came in and the suspects fled the scene.

Description of Suspects

The first suspect is described as being 5 8”/5 9” in height, early to mid-20’s, with a pale complexion and a very light ginger beard.  He was wearing a dark coloured Hollister jacket, dark tracksuit bottoms, a black face mask, black cotton gloves and carrying a black and cream back pack.  He had a strong Dublin accent and was carrying a firearm.

The second suspect was taller than the first male, approximately 5 11”/6 ft.  He was in his early to mid-20’s and was wearing a dark hooded North Face jacket, dark grey bottoms, black and white runners, a black face mask, black gloves and was carrying a black Adidas back pack with white stripes.  He had a strong Dublin accent.

They proceeded to Macken Street where one of the suspects had hidden a bicycle.

Appeal

• Anyone in the Macken Street, Grand Canal Street Lower area between 9pm and 10pm on the evening of the 29th August 2020 to come forward

• Anyone that may have seen 2 males acting suspiciously in the area. It is believed that they met up on Macken Street at approx. 9.20pm and then headed in the direction of Grand Canal Street Lower. One male was in possession of a pedal cycle and both had backpacks on and were wearing dark clothing.

• Any motorist who may have dash cam footage available from the 29th August 2020 who was in the vicinity of Macken Street or Grand Canal Street Lower on the date in question.

Gardaí in Pearse Street Garda Station are investigating 01 6669000

On this month’s Crimecall Garda Adrian Corcoran was in studio to discuss An Garda Síochána’s Christmas and New Year Road Safety Campaign, launched, (4th December to 5th January 2021). Viewers were reminded of the focus of Mandatory Intoxicant Testing – detecting those who drive having consumed alcohol or drugs, and the Garda message – do not drive if you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs or a combination of both. 

Garda Corcoran spoke of a new trend which indicates that despite a 70% reduction in the volume of traffic during Covid -19 (currently 20%) there has been a rise in detections of Drug driving, with 2537 arrests (133%) increase up on 1192 last year.

Viewers were reminded of the current legal situation regarding the use of E-Scooters in public places, which are considered a mechanically propelled vehicle, (M.P.V). An M.P.V under the Road Traffic Act, must be registered, taxed and insured and the driver must be at least 16 years and the holder of a driving permit or licence. Therefore those in breach can be prosecuted and brought before the courts, as can their parents or anyone who may have purchased the E-scooter.

Finally, viewers were advised as to recent trend referred to as “Ghosting”. This trend challenges persons to lie on the roadway with a sheet placed over them in an attempt to stop oncoming traffic. While this trend is by no means wide spread Gardaí are aware of one incident and therefore want to highlight the obvious dangers associated with it and are asking parents to educate their children.