Gardaí in Mullingar Garda Station are investigating an aggravated burglary that occurred at Gunnings Business Premises, Rathconrath, Co. Westmeath on the night of 17 April 2021.
Circumstances
On the night in question at approximately 20:55pm, a white van travelling from the Ballymahon direction and parked just beyond Gunnings Business Premises. Shortly after 9pm the injured party served coal to a customer. After the customer left, the injured party went into his premises and was in his kitchen when two male suspects came up behind him. He was told to sit down on the chair where he was tied up by his arms and legs.
The two suspects were carrying holdall bags. The first suspect was armed with a nail bar and searched the premises, discovering a shotgun owned by the injured the party. The second suspect stayed with the injured party throughout. There was a sum of money on the kitchen table, which was also taken. One of the suspects is believed to have been on the phone to another person who was not at the premises.
The two suspects remained in the house for approximately 30 minutes and then left the premises through the back door, leaving the injured party tied up. He managed to free himself and contact Gardaí.
The suspects left the scene in a white van which went in the direction of Mullingar. The van is thought to be similar to a Ford Transit Custom van.
Description of Suspects
Suspect 1 – Male, approximately 5’10”, heavy set (however, he was the slimmer of the two suspects) wearing all black clothing including a balaclava and possibly a red scarf. He had a local Westmeath accent. He was carrying a nail bar.
Suspect 2 – Male, heavy build, approximately 5’7” – 5’8” tall, wearing all black clothing including a balaclava and runners with the toes turned up. He had small feet. He had fair / brown hair which could be seen through a hole in the balaclava and black gloves with a white rim at the cuffs. He had a Dublin accent.
Property Stolen
- Mossberg, single barrel, Pump Action Shotgun – Model 500A (Similar to below)
2. Small amount of cash
Vehicle of Interest – White van – similar to a Ford Transit Custom
Appeal:
- Can you identify the suspects involved in this crime or have you any information that may assist the investigation?
- Do you recognise the white van?
- Do you know anything about the movements of this white van in the Rathconrath area of Mullingar on the 17th April 2021?
- Have you any information in relation to the whereabouts of the firearm stolen during this incident?
- There was a lot of traffic in the area at the time of the incident, did you travel this route on the 17th April 2021 or were you in the area at this time, have you dash Cam footage which may assist the investigation, please contact Mullingar Garda Station or Crimecall.
Gardaí Mullingar Garda Station investigating Tel: 044-9384000
Gardaí at Clonmel Garda Station are investigating an aggravated burglary that occurred on Thursday, 9 September 2020 at Ballyvadlea, Mullinahone, Co. Tipperary at approximately 11.30pm.
Circumstances
The victim was in his mobile home when he heard a noise outside. When he went outside, he observed two males wearing balaclavas, one of whom was carrying a baseball bat, and in the process of leaving a shed where his dogs were kept.
The victim was then struck on the left arm before both males fled through the field to the back of the property where Gardaí believe their vehicle was parked. Gardaí believe that the suspect vehicle left in the direction of Drangan, and that it may have turned off a side road before reaching the village. The victim then went to his shed and subsequently discovered that the lock had been broken and his black Patterdale hunting dog had been taken.
The victim received lacerations, swelling and bruising to his arms. He was conveyed by ambulance to Kilkenny hospital where he received treatment for his injuries.
Description of dog:
- Three year old female Patterdale terrier named Heather
- Black curly coat and black paws
Description of Suspect 1:
- 18-20 year old male
- Around 5’8’’ tall with a slim build
- Black Clothing and black balaclava that appeared to be knitted in different colours
- American style baseball bat with different colours
Description of Suspect 2:
- Male in his mid-20s to 30
- Black Clothing and black balaclava
- Carried a torch which he shone in the victims face
Appeal:
- Where you in the vicinity of Ballyvadlea, Mullinahone, on the evening of September 9th 2020?
- Do you remember seeing a suspicious person(s) or vehicle(s) in the area?
- Were there any callers to your home earlier that day or late that night?
- Did you see any vehicle entering or leaving a field in the area at approximately 11.30pm?
- Did you see any person(s) with a Patterdale dog on the night in question?
- Do you know anyone who had possession of a similar dog since the aggravated burglary occurred?
- Were you offered a similar dog for sale or do you know someone who has?
- Do you know the whereabouts of the stolen dog or do you have any information that may assist the investigation?
Clonmel Garda Station Investigating Tel: (052) 617 7640
On this month’s Crimecall Sergeant Graham Kavanagh highlighted crime prevention advice in relation to the opening of retail outlets after the relaxing of Covid-19 restrictions.
Sergeant Kavanagh discussed the following checklist:
- Perimeter Security
- Check all entry points (doors, windows, fences, roof) to ensure they have not been tampered with or become damaged.
- Check that all locks still work and are secured.
- Make sure all lighting works.
- Remove the means to commit crime – e.g. climbing aids such as ladders and wheelie bins.
- Intruder Alarm
- Test your security system.
- When was it last serviced?
- Is the alarm grade sufficient to meet your security needs?
- Review the list of key holders and procedures.
- Make sure PIR’s have not been obstructed by covid signage or screens.
- CCTV
- Check that all CCTV cameras work, are in focus and are not obstructed by Covid signage or screens (or foliage externally).
- Check DVR security (including staff access) and check the time on the system - summertime
- The fact customers will now be wearing masks, and possibly headwear, good quality CCTV is important
- Staff
- Have you employed new staff? Have they received any crime prevention awareness training?
- Scams and Frauds – e.g. fake notes (look-tilt-feel) or change scams etc.
- Opening & Closing procedures
- Keys – are there ex-staff who still have keys to the premises?
- Review cash handling procedures
- Dealing with customers – e.g. refusing to wear covid masks or verifying age for purchase of alcohol.
- Stock
- Covid has hindered the ability to ‘meet and greet’ customers. Retailers may need to re-position high value stock or consider electronic tagging.
- Temptation to fill shop floor to quickly sell old stock – this may block lines of sight and creating hiding places – keep it tidy.
- Stock room security.
Sergeant Kavanagh noted other information in relation to businesses:
- Although retail crime is down 26% since Covid-19 restrictions began, this still equates to approximately €2.5million worth of goods stolen.
The figures were €3.5million in 2019 and €9.5million in total since 2018 (GSAS).
- When retail opens up again it is not unreasonable to expect large percentage increases in retail crime given the low base during Covid-19 restrictions.
- The Central Bank Governor has predicted 1 in 4 SMEs will close following the pandemic. 98% of all registered businesses are SME’s,(companies with less than 250 employees) of these 90% are micro SME’s with 10 employees or less. These businesses may not have the finances to employ security experts, but the information An Garda Síochána provides and in particular the Crime Prevention Officer can at least mitigate this worry for these businesses.
- The main advice for businesses is contained in the Government’s Work Safely Protocol – see https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/bb7fd-work-safely-protocol/.
- The Health & Safety Authority has published a number of associated templates, checklists and posters – see https://www.hsa.ie/eng/topics/covid-19_coronavirus_information_and_resources/covid-19_business_supports/business_supports/work_safely_templates_checklists_and_posters/
- Fundamentally, all businesses should continue to protect themselves and others by following public health advice. The main theme of this phase of reopening is “Think Safe, Think Outdoors”.
On this month’s Crimecall Detective Chief Superintendent Paul Cleary was in studio to discuss the recent Cybercrime investigation involving the HSE and the Department of Health.
He outlined what has happened and the seriousness of the ransomware attack. He advised that there was a rise in all cybercrime worldwide and the lengths cyber criminals will go to, e.g. how adaptive they were in responding to the pandemic, and the subsequent tailored pandemic based cybercrimes.
Detective Chief Superintendent Cleary discussed the primary types of cyber dependent crimes which are ransomware and computer hacking offences which directly target the computer or its data. While hacking offences have remained largely static, ransomware attacks have grown significantly. However these types of crimes are traditionally underreported. Among the most prevalent cyber enabled crimes, or ordinary crime committed over a computer, are phishing which has seen a significant rise while people are working from home and email compromise where a supplier business email asks for payment details to be changed. However the email is fraudulent and the payment is then quickly withdrawn before the fraud is noticed by the company receiving it.
Advice
The advice to people would be:
- - Don’t do online what you wouldn’t do offline. People have a false sense of security when they are behind the computer screen but they should be suspicious for that very reason.
- - People are advised to only friend people they know or trust.
- - Not to click on links in unsolicited emails.
- - To be aware that Banks and organisations such as the Garda or HSE will never ask for financial details to confirm identity.
- - Update your software and systems from reputable suppliers only and do this regularly to stay safer.
- - Backup your files regularly to a separate storage device or a reputable online cloud account.
- - Report any suspicious or fraudulent activity to your local Garda station.
- - If you are concerned about the safety of your data you can contact the organisation involved, such as the HSE. If you believe or know your data has been used in a crime, or you have been the victim of a cybercrime, you should report it to your local Garda station. Private and corporate victims are advised to get in touch with their local station if they have been the victim of any cyber-attack.
More information is available on the Garda Website at www.garda.ie/cybercrime.
Gardaí in Raheny are looking for information on the above individual in relation to an attempted robbery on the 3rd of December 2020 at 6.20pm. The injured party was standing at a bus stop on Kilbarrack Road, Dublin 5, near Kilbarrack Fire Station, when he was approached by a male who demanded his phone. The injured party refused and was assaulted during the attempted robbery. The suspect fled the scene on a mountain bike in the direction of Tonlegee Road.
Description of Suspect:
- 28 – 30 years old.
- Approx. 186cm,(6 1”), in height
- Pale skin with a brown short stubbly beard
- Wearing a black beanie hat and a red jacket with a white stripe across the chest
- Black tracksuit bottoms
Gardaí at Raheny Garda Station investigating. Tel: 01-6664300
Gardaí at Blanchardstown Garda Station are looking for information on the above individual in relation to a robbery from the person that occurred at Parslickstown Drive, Mulhuddart, Dublin 15 on the 30th of January 2021 at 18.59hrs.
The injured party observed this male getting into the driver’s seat of his vehicle. The injured party challenged the suspect at which point the suspect produced a hammer and threatened the injured party, demanding his wallet and phone. The injured party fled the scene on foot and no property was taken.
The suspect is described as:
- - White male, 35 – 40 years old, approximately 6ft in height with a heavy set build.
- - He had a thick Dublin accent and wore a grey hoodie, dark t-shirt and black shorts.
Gardaí Blanchardstown Garda Station investigating. Tel: (01) 666 7000
Gardaí at Coolock Garda station are investigating a robbery that occurred on 24th March 2021 at approximately 21:38pm at Spar, Mornington Park, Malahide Road, Artane.
Circumstances
On the date in question, two males walked outbound from the city centre direction and entered the Spar shop on Malahide Road, Artane. One of the suspects dropped a glove going into the shop. On entering the shop the two suspects both produced chisels. One of the suspects went behind the till area, waiving the chisel at the member of staff and demanding cash. He demanded a bag from the staff member and subsequently emptied the till contents into it.
The second suspect stayed at the customer side of the tills, also waiving a chisel, and demanding cash and cigarettes. He put the cigarettes that were handed to him from the staff member, into a bag that he had brought with him.
The first suspect left the shop picking up the second suspects glove outside. The second suspect followed shortly after him. The two leave the shop area and run up the Malahide road in the direction of Artane.
Description of Suspect 1
Male, average height, stockier of the two suspects. He wore a black jacket with a green / yellow top underneath, dark bottoms, black runners, black face covering and grey and black gardening gloves.
Description of Suspect 2
Male, slimmer than the first suspect. Short in height. Wearing a navy full zip up top with a white logo on the left breast, black gloves, navy stone wash jeans, a black woolly hat with an emblem on the centre. He was wearing tights over his face. He was carrying a cream shopping bag.
Weapons Used
Both suspects entered the Spar shop carrying wood chisels.
Garda Appeal:
- Where you in the vicinity of the Malahide Road, Artane between the times of 21:00 and 22:00 on the 24/03/2021 and noticed any unusual or suspicious behaviour by any persons or vehicles.
- Did you attend Spar, Malahide Road, Artane between the time of 21:30 and 22:00.
- Where you in the area of Old Yellow Walls Road and Estuary Road, Malahide between the times of 20:30 and 21:30 on the 24/03/2021.Did you notice any suspicious person(s) or vehicle(s). Gardaí believe that both suspects may have been here prior to arriving at Artane, and used public transport, (buses or taxis).
- Do you have any information in relation to the incident?
Gardaí at Coolock Garda Station investigating Tel: 01-6664200
On this month’s Traffic Segment Garda Adrian Corcoran highlighted the increased presence of agricultural vehicles on our roads during the current silage cutting season.
Garda Corcoran listed a number of signs that may alert you to the presence of large agricultural vehicles in the area. Road users should pay particular attention to these signs during the months of May, June and July when there is an increased chance of collisions involving agricultural vehicles.
The signs include:
- ⮚ Mud or grass on the road close to gateways or farmyards
- ⮚ Traffic cones or signs on the side of the road at entrances to fields or farmyards
- ⮚ Flashing beacons which may be visible across hedge rows before the tractor comes into sight
Garda Corcoran encouraged all road users to be careful at this time of year including those walking, cycling, horse riding or on holiday in Ireland. He made the point that sharing the road requires full concentration at all times, but especially at this very busy time of year for the farming community. Lastly he emphasized that by working together we can support and help each other with patience, tolerance and adherence to key road safety guidelines, which include but are not limited to:
- Keeping 100% Concentration
- Using Restraint
- Holding Back
- Overtaking safely
- Not putting themselves in danger to get photos for social media
Gardaí at Ennistymon Garda Station are investigating three separate incidents involving the discovery of unidentified human remains off the Cliffs of Moher.
Incident 1: On the 30th July 2010 the Irish Coast Guard based at Doolin recovered the remains of an unknown male. The search team believed the body may have been in the water for approximately ten days. The body was badly decomposed and eventually removed to Limerick Regional Hospital.
No distinguishing features were found on the body and the only items of clothing recovered were socks and shoes, images of which are reproduced below.
Black shoesand socks
On the 13th August 2014, an orthodontist who examined the teeth expressed an opinion that there had been some dental work carried out, most likely in mainland Europe. Body samples were taken and a DNA profile of the deceased was circulated through Interpol with a view to establishing the identity of the body. To date this has been unsuccessful.
A post mortem examination carried out on the 2nd September 2014 indicated that the body was that of a white, adult male. The man was 5’ 10” in height with dark hair and a short dark moustache and beard. There were no tattoos or scars visible on the body.
The County Coroner arranged for scans of the body to be forwarded to the Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification at the University of Dundee for craniofacial reconstruction. The resultant images (see above) were then circulated throughout Europe in an effort to identify the deceased but to date there has been no positive identification.
Incident 2: On 14th August 2016 human remains believed to be that of a female were discovered at Doonagore, Doolin by the Burren sub aqua unit who were training in the area.
The remains were then recovered by the Irish Coast Guard and transferred to Limerick mortuary for a post mortem examination. A DNA profile was created and circulated through Interpol with a view to establishing the identity of the body but to date this has been unsuccessful.
The only details that may assist in identifying the female relate to clothing recovered with the remains.
Details of clothing:
Partial clothing on the body included what appeared to be denim jeans bearing the label Esmara, and another item of clothing which was purple in colour bearing a tag with 40/42 size on it. Esmara clothing label is sometimes carried by Lidl. A black belt with woven pattern was recovered and is reproduced below.
Incident 3: On October 4th 2018, shortly before 5pm humans remains believed to be that of a female were discovered in the water off the Cliffs of Moher.
The Irish Coast Guard recovered the remains and transferred them to Limerick mortuary for a post mortem examination. A DNA sample was taken in order to establish a match but as of yet no match has been found.
The Coroner was however able to establish a description of the female which is as follows:
- Asian female 5’8’’ in height
- Slim build
- Age estimated 50 – 55 years
- No tattoos, but with one vertical scar on the midriff.
In addition to this description there were also a number of jewellery items found on the body, images of which are reproduced below.
Gold ring with the words “Caby” on the inside AND gold ring with green stones
Gold Bracelet AND discoloured gold ring comprising of non-uniform circular segments
Garda appeal:
Gardaí are appealing for the public's assistance to identify these individuals. So if you think you may know their identity or can assist in any way, please do so.
Gardaí Ennistymon Garda Station are investigating tel: 0657072180