On this month’s Crimecall, Sergeant Graham Kavanagh was in studio to offer advice and reassurance for the months ahead in relation to summertime burglaries and online scams.
As the phases of Covid-19 come about we can move about a bit more as can the Criminals so please remember to lock up, light up and secure property effectively. Use alarms, check what you have left lying around outside your home and report suspicious activity.
The latest crime trends released on Friday 12th June 2020 still show us crimes such as burglaries are down and although a reported reduction of - 44% we still had in excess of 2,000 reported in this 3 month period. Theft from shops (shoplifting) was down -39% but was reported in excess of 3,800 occasions, Theft of cars was down -43% and pedal cycles reduced 9% but in excess of 540 vehicles and 1100 pedal cycles were stolen during this period.
Burglary was down due to occupancy, people reporting suspicious activity and checkpoints. Performing checkpoints has a dual role roads Policing and Crime Prevention. Remember that when you think of notifying oncoming drivers!!
Online purchases have soared during the covid-19 restrictions
The Garda National Economic Crime Bureau with the support of the Central Bank have been monitoring websites offering unsecured loans and investment products.
Online purchases have soared during the covid-19 restrictions and the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau with the support of the Central Bank have been monitoring websites offering unsecured loans and investment products.
We asked that members of the public consider these red flags:
- The first RED FLAG. The common trend with these sites is that they are offering quick and easy money.
- The second RED FLAG is the requirement that a fee is paid in advance of the service being provided.
- The third RED FLAG is that the fraudster will put pressure on the victim to act quickly or the opportunity will be lost
- The name of the company on the website will often be somewhat similar to a genuine company.
These fraudulent companies operate using phone numbers that appear to be Irish, and they will have fake office locations in Ireland.
The public are advised to do the following;
- To look out for these red flags,
- To stop and think before engaging, and
- Not to engage unless they are 100% certain that they are dealing with a legitimate entity
The Gardaí at Millstreet Garda Station are investigating the disappearance of thirty three year old Barbara Walsh from Rusheenamanagh, Carna, Co. Galway who is missing from her home since 22 June 1985.
Barbara was married and was a mother to six children. She was at home in Carna, with her husband and six young children, ranging in age from 16 years old to just 7 months. There was a small gathering of family and friends in the house and the last sighing of Barbara was in the early hours of the 22nd June 1985.
She was never seen or heard from again. An extensive Garda Investigation was launched and remains live and active.
Barbara’s family are appealing for information in relation to their Mother’s disappearance after thirty years.
Appeal:
- Gardaí believe the clue to solving this case lies within the local community and are appealing to anyone who may have information that they are holding onto to please come forward.
- Do you have information that you are unknowingly holding onto that may assist the investigation?
Gardaí at Salthill Garda Station are investigating tel: (091) 514 720
The Gardaí at Dundrum Garda Station are investigating the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of fifty five year old Gerard Taylor who is missing from his home since Saturday 25th May 2019.
Gerard left his home in Sandyford on Saturday morning, he was last seen at 11am walking up Kellystown Road past Taylor’s Three Rock Public House.
Gerard is described as six foot tall of medium build with grey hair and blue eyes.
When last seen he was wearing a navy blue sports cap, a black Regatta jacket, green chino trousers, casual navy flat trainers with a white sole and white stripes on the side.
Gerard’s family are extremely concerned for his safety and wellbeing and his wife will make an appeal for information on Crimecall.
Appeal:
- Last confirmed sighting was at Kellystown Road Rathfarnham, Dublin on the 25/5/2019 at 11.06am, walking in the direction of Stackstown/Ticknock area.
- Anyone frequenting the Ticknock area including hillwalkers, cyclists, dog walkers, any motorists with dashcam footage etc.
- Civil defence / Dublin mountain rescue will continue to offer valuable assistance and expertise to continue the searches and this may involve the use of drones in the Ticknock area.
Gardaí at Dundrum Garda Station are investigating tel: (01) 666 5600
Gardaí in Ashbourne Garda Station are investigating the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of forty five year old Terry Byrne who is missing from his home in Dunboyne since Thursday 6 February 2020.
It is believed Terry left his home between 1am and 7am on Friday. His mobile phone was last activated at 6.02am, when it is believed the battery died.
A number of extensive searches have been carried out in Dunboyne and surrounding areas with the assistance of the Civil Defence, Garda Air Support, Garda Sub Water unit and the Coast Guard. CCTV has been canvassed and HSE checks with ambulance services and hospitals have been carried out. Airport and ferry ports have been on alert. Terry’s passport is at home.
There has been no transactions on Terry’s bank account.
Terry’s family and An Garda Síochána are extremely concerned for his safety and well-being.
Terry’s brother’s Paul & Mark made an emotional appeal for information and assistance from the public in April.
Gardaí at Ashbourne Garda Station are investigating tel: (01) 801 0600
Gardaí at Blanchardstown are appealing for information in relation to the murder of thirty four year old Eric Fowler who was shot and fatally wounded on Saturday 22 December 2018 at approximately 6.50pm at Blakestown Cottages on the Blakestown Road, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15.
A short time later, a Volkswagen Jetta car, registration number 06 MH 3192, that was used in the murder, was discovered on fire at Rusheeney Crescent.
This car was purchased on the 18 December, just four days before the murder. Gardaí are looking for information in relation to who purchased the car and the whereabouts of the car, between the 18th December and 22 December 2018.
Gardaí are appealing to all road users, specifically a jogger that was on the Blakestown Road between 6.30pm and 7pm on the 22 December 2018 to come forward
Appeal:
- Gardaí want to identify the man who purchased the VW Jetta car registration number on the 18 December at Hansfield Estate, Blanchardstown. Gardaí also want to know where this car was stored or parked between the 18 December and the 22 December
- Gardaí are appealing to a Jogger that came upon the scene at Blakestown cottages to come forward.
- Gardaí want to identify the occupants of a silver coloured Audi Q5/Q7 that stopped on Hunter’s Run as the VW Jetta was set alight on Rusheeney Crescent.
Gardaí at Blanchardstown Garda Station are investigating tel: (01) 666 7000
Gardaí at Tallaght Garda Station are continuing to investigate the murder of twenty six year old Kenneth Fetherston who was murdered on Tuesday 22 September 2009.
Kenneth was reported missing on Wednesday 23 September when he failed to make contact with his family. He was last seen the previous day, he left his apartment at approximately 8.30am in his red Honda Civic vehicle registration number 93D44862. He then drove to Luke Lawlor’s Filling Station and bought €10 worth of petrol. Gardaí believe he drove to a garage in an Industrial estate on the Knocklyon Road. He was last sighted at that garage at approximately 9:30am that morning.
Kenneth was driving a red Honda Civic car registered number 93D44862 and this vehicle was located on the 26th September 2009, in a lay-by on the N11, near the Gorey bypass. The driver’s door was unlocked and there was no key in the car. The car was abandoned there between 11pm on Tues 22 and 10am on Wed 23 September. Kenneth’s mobile phone was last used at 9.30am on Tues 22nd September.
On Sunday 31/1/10 two people walking on Military road in the Dublin Mountains discovered what they believed to be human remains. The remains were subsequently identified as those of Kenneth.
Kenneth’s Mother Gráinne and Father Brian made an emotional appeal for information in January of this year and Brian joins us on a skype call to re-appeal for information.
Appeal:
- This extensive investigation has been ongoing now for over ten years.
- The investigation is currently being reviewed by the Serious Crime Review team An Garda Síochána are making a direct appeal to those responsible for the murder of Kenneth to come forward now and to those close to the people responsible to come forward now – we can assure them they will be treated sensitively.
- We understand that relationships and friendships may break down over a ten year period, and we are appealing to anyone with information about the murder of Kenneth, who now might be in a position to impart information that for whatever reason felt they could not at the time, to do so now, again we assure them they will be treated sensitively.
Gardaí at Tallaght Garda Station are investigating tel: (01) 666 6000
Gardaí at Castlebar Garda Station are continuing to investigate the murder of 29 year old, Owen Maughan who was shot and fatally wounded on Wednesday the 18 December 2013.
Owen and his wife Anne lived at a Halting Site nearby. They were married for eight years and had a very close relationship. Early on the morning of the 18 December, Owen and Anne headed into town to run a few errands. Later that afternoon they went home and Anne prepared lunch. Owen left to go to a nearby service station to fill up some water canisters.
While Owen was at the service station, a grey BMW estate car drove into the forecourt. The front seat passenger shot Owen and fatally injured him. The BMW drove out of the forecourt at speed and travelled in the direction of Claremorris.
Owen was brought to hospital by ambulance but lost his fight for life that evening.
Appeal:
- Gardaí are appealing to anyone with information about this murder to come forward.
- The BMW Estate car was stolen from the Clarion Hotel, Dublin Airport, Co. Dublin on the 6th of December. Gardaí believe this vehicle was in the Dublin area for some time after this and would have refueled a number of times. Gardaí are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.
- The registration of the car is 06G3981. The car was fitted with cloned registration plates, this number was 09D30024.
- This car travelled out the Claremorris road and was discovered two days later at Derryvohey. It had been destroyed by fire.
Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the area to come forward.
Gardaí at Castlebar Garda Station are investigating tel: (094) 903 8200
Gardaí at Lucan Garda Station are investigating the murder of Patrick Sullivan who was wounded in a shooting incident at his home on Rowlagh Park, Clondalkin on Saturday 13 April 2013.
Patrick, a fifty three year old married father of four was at home with his wife Bernie on that Saturday evening. Patrick was having his dinner while Bernie was in the sitting room watching television. At approximately 6.30pm Bernie answered a knock on the front door, a masked and armed man confronted her. The man made his way into the hallway where he discharged a shot, injuring Patrick.
Patrick sustained serious injuries and never fully recovered. He remained in various hospitals for five years and passed away in June 2018.
Appeal:
- Gardaí continue to conduct an extensive investigation in relation to this case and urge anybody with information to come forward.
- From their investigation to date, investigating Gardaí are satisfied that Patrick’s murder was a case of mistaken identity.
- Gardaí wish to thank the public who assisted the investigation at the time, however, given the time frame, they believe there are people out there that know the reason why this happened and can provide information that may progress the investigation.
- A Crimestoppers reward has been offered for information.
Gardaí at Lucan Garda Station are investigating tel: (01) 666 7300
Gardaí at Finglas Garda Station are continuing to investigate the murder of twenty nine year old, father of one, Vincent Maher, who was fatally assaulted in his home at Springmount Apartments, Wellmount Road, Finglas in the early hours of 11 January 2014.
Vincent had a party in his apartment with a small number of people, during the night, an altercation occurred, Vincent was assaulted and died as a result of his injuries.
An extensive murder investigation was launched and a number of people have been arrested, but so, far no prosecutions have been brought.
Vincent’s mother and father made a heartfelt emotional appeal for information on Crimecall in December 2019, as they approached his six year anniversary.
Appeal:
- Gardaí are appealing to the persons who were present in Vincent’s apartment on the 11 January 2014 for information.
- Gardaí are appealing to the community in Finglas who might be aware and were informed of what happened at the party that night.
- Gardaí have spoken to all persons that were present at the party that night during the initial stages of the investigation.
- Anyone with information to come forward and speak to Gardaí, in order to give justice for Tina and Terry Maher and their family.
Gardaí at Finglas Garda Station are investigating tel: (01) 666 7500
On this month’s Crimecall Superintendent Eddie Golden offered advice to all road users in relation to the new road safety campaign that urges all road users to share the roads safely as traffic levels increase, as covid-19 restrictions are eased.
Superintendent Golden has offered specific advice to motorcyclists as the summer months of June, July and August has traditionally shown a marked increase in both fatal and collisions involving motorcyclists.