Gardaí at Portlaoise Garda Station are investigating an aggravated burglary at a private residence that occurred at Aghnaharna Estate, Portlaoise at approximately 8pm on 7 March 2022.
On the date in question, three sisters were in the house when a male called to the house asking if they had ordered pizza. After being told they hadn’t, the male left and the door was closed. A few moments later, the male reappeared with two other male suspects and entered the house through the front door. Two of the males went upstairs to the sisters who were in their bedrooms. One of the suspects was carrying a screwdriver. The upstairs of the house was searched and a sum of money was found and taken. The third male went into a downstairs room where the third sister was present. On seeing the suspect, she let out a scream and the man ran out of the house. The two other men quickly followed and ran from upstairs.
It is thought, the three suspects entered a dark coloured, Opel Zafira and left the estate.
Description of Suspects:
All three suspects were described as the following:
- Aged in their 20’s
- Average height
- Slim build
- Dressed all in black
- Possible Eastern European accent
Garda Appeal
- - Where you in the Aghnaharna Estate, Portlaoise on the 7th March 2022 between 7.30 and 8.30pm
- - Did you see three men dressed in dark coloured clothing in the area.
- - Did you hear anyone in the estate around this time that may have been speaking with an Eastern European accent?
- - Did you notice a dark coloured Opel Zafira, parked up in the estate.
- - Where you travelling outbound towards Portlaoise on the Southern Circular Road, known locally as Timahoe Road, Stradbally Road or Dublin Road? Did you notice the suspect dark coloured Opel Zafira or do you have dash cam footage that may assist the investigation?
- - Do you live in the area and did you have person(s) calling on the pretence of delivering pizza?
Portlaoise Garda Station investigating. Tel: 057-8674100
The Gardaí at Coolock Garda Station are Investigating the attempted murder of Violet Quigley at her home, at Donaghmede Park, Donaghmede, on the 7 April 2011.
On the evening in question, just after 11:45 pm Violet was in bed in her home when she was awoken by a noise. When she looked up she saw a man standing in her bedroom. During the incident Violet became the victim of a serious assault and received life threatening injuries.
Description of male suspect:
- wearing a hoody, which had black and white squares on it, with what appeared to be writing in the squares
- The hood was up
- Possibly wearing black jeans
- Slim build
- Carrying a silver hammer
The suspect fled and Violet managed to make it to the front bedroom of her house and alerted neighbours who came to her assistance and contacted Gardaí. There was no sign of forced entry to her home.
Garda Appeal:
- When this incident occurred 11 years ago, it received a considerable amount of media attention at the time and since. Unfortunately, the investigation continues as the case remains unsolved. Due to its serious nature, we continue to appeal to anyone who was in the Donaghmede Park Area on the night of 7 April 2011 into the early hours of the 8 April 2011. Did you see suspicious activity? We are also particularly appealing to anyone who for whatever reason did not come forward with information previously, to do so now.
- We believe the suspect may have had a large amount of blood stains on his clothing. Did you see anyone at the time in the Donaghmede area after this incident or anywhere else perhaps making his way home with their clothing stained?
- Do you have information in relation to this serious crime, if you do Gardaí are urging you to contact them and do the right thing. Indeed there may now be individuals that have information and due to the passage of time, loyalties or relationships may have changed and you may feel that you are may now be better placed to do what is right and assist Violet and the investigation.
Coolock Garda Station, investigating: 01 6664200
On this month’s Crime call Sergeant Graham Kavanagh offered advice in relation to burglaries and fuel security, highlighting home heating oil, diesel and petrol drive off thefts.
Sergeant Kavanagh explained that although domestic Burglaries have fallen over 50% since 2015, we cannot be complacent. He reminded the public of previous advice cautioning that as our society opens up again opportunities will increase for burglaries to occur. Remember to lock up & light up. One in (4) burglaries in the summertime occur when the intruder enters through an unlocked door or window.
In relation to a recent increase in oil prices, which have been steadily increasing over the the last 12 months and which have dramatically increased in the last few weeks due to market uncertainty amid fears of supply shortages. The average price of petrol and diesel has increased by approximately 30% and prices are poised to increase further in the coming months. Similarly, heating oil prices have approximately doubled since the start of the year.
With rising prices, many suppliers are rationing orders of home heating oil due to a surge in demand. The reason for this increase in demand could be that customers are stockpiling oil in anticipation of prices being driven up further. This may lead to the situation where theft of oil continues into the summer months of 2022.
Main Prevention Advice:
- WHETHER DOMESTIC OR COMMERCIAL, ABOVE GROUND OIL TANKS AND MOBILE FUEL BOWSERS ARE MOST AT RISK OF FUEL THEFT
- INSTALLING ALARMS, ANTI SIPHONING DEVICES, SIGNAGE, SECURITY LIGHTING AND CCTV CAN PREVENT AND DISRUPT FUEL THIEVES
- COMMERCIAL PREMISES SHOULD IMPLEMENT FUEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS TO MONITOR FUEL LEVELS
- KEEP FUEL TANKS VISIBLE. REMOTE TANKS ARE AT MORE RISK.
- RESTRICT ACCESS. KEEP GATES CLOSED AND LOCKED WHEN NOT IN USE
- SECURE VEHICLES. USE FUEL TANK CAP LOCKS AND ANTI SIPHONING DEVICES ON VEHICLES AND MACHINERY.
Gardaí at Dundrum are seeking the public’s assistance in relation to a burglary that took place in Churchtown Avenue, Dublin at 9.20pm on the evening of 28 September 2021.
On the evening in question the above individual knocked on the window of the premises. When he did not receive an answer he forced his way in through the front door. At this point he was confronted by the owner of the property who asked him what he was doing. The suspect claimed that there was a parcel waiting for him inside. On hearing this the owner asked the man to leave.
Description:Approx. 40 years old, 5’4’’, medium build and grey hair. He spoke with an Irish accent. He wore a black jacket and black tracksuit bottoms.
Dundrum Garda Station, Investigating, Tel: (01) - 6665600
Gardaí at Swords are seeking the public to assist with the above individual’s identification, in relation to an incident of exposure that occurred at Rivervalley Park, Swords on 9 March 2022.
The injured party was walking her dogs when she noticed a man walking nearby. The man over took her and further down the path he stepped from behind a tree and exposed himself. The injured party raised the alarm and the suspect left the scene.
Description of Suspect: Early 20’s, approximately 5'11" and slim build. He was wearing a pink bobble hat and a black grey windbreaker with grey underarms and a reflective strip down both arms.
Swords Garda Station, investigating. Tel: (01) 666 4700
Gardaí at Dungarvan Garda Station are investigating the fatal hit and run collision involving twenty three year old Joseph (Joey) Moroney on the 8th August 1982. On the weekend of the 7/ August, Joey, attended a festival organised by Kilgobnet GAA Club. After the festival he went to Meades Pub. He left there on foot around between 12 midnight and 1am and was later found deceased on the side of the road in Bohadoon South. Some items of car debris were discovered at the scene. The post mortem found that he had died from injuries consistent with being hit by a car.
Garda Appeal:
- - Investigating Gardai at Dungarvan are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Joey Moroney on the 8 August 1982 and are endeavouring to establish what happened on the night of his death?
- - Where you present at Meade’s pub in Bohadoon or did you speak with Joey Moroney that night?
- - Gardai are appealing to any garage or panel beaters who may have repaired a vehicle in the days after the collision to come forward?
- - Did you travel in or around the Bohadoon area on the night of the incident?
- - Do you have information that may assist the investigation team? You will be dealt with in a sensitive manner. It is understandable that after forty years you may be in a different place in your life, you may have been young at the time of the incident, relationships you held back then may have changed over time or it may be that your own family circumstances have changed.
- - This incident happened over forty years ago and the key to solving this tragic incident lies within the local community and it is hoped that closure can be finally given to the Moroney family who are still at a loss of their sibling Joey Moroney.
Dungarvan Garda Station, investigating: 058-48600
Detective Inspector Mel Smyth was in studio to discuss Smishing (fraud texts),Vishing(fraud phone calls)and Phishing(fraud emails). He explained the two elements used by fraudsters - to get control of a bank account (Account take over fraud) or to get payment card/credit card details (Card not present fraud)
Account take over fraud
Step one
- - thousands of text/sms messages sent out to random people:
- - The text will be unsolicited.
- - Text messages will appear to be from your bank
- - The texts will be inserted into a chain of real messages the victim may have received from their bank (via technical work by the fraudster).
Step two
- - The text will always call for action to attract the attention of the victim and cause alarm to prompt a quick response; EG. account holder let to believe there is a risk to their account such as a suspicious transaction or suspicious login etc
- - The goal is to get the caller to click on a link to a fake bank website.
Step three
- - The victim clicks on the link and is prompted to log into their account on a fake but very real looking website
- - Their log in details are recovered by the fraudster who controls the website.
- - The criminal now has access to the account online
Step four
- - The challenge for the fraudster is to get over the security that prevents unlawful transfers out of the account. For this he / she needs to engage with the victim.
- - The criminal calls the victim, with a very well prepared script to convince the victim to give them security codes. For example, the criminal will try a transfer as he / she is speaking to the victim, that prompts the bank to send a security code to the phone of the victims phone, the criminal will ask the victim for this 6 digit code that has just been sent - the unsuspecting victim gives it - the fraudster transfers money out of the account, almost always to a money mule account in Ireland or abroad.
- - The alternative is that the criminal will try and change the phone number of the account, he / she may need to get over security to get that - they will engage with the victim to get over this security - a new phone is added and all security codes are transferred to a phone in the hands of the fraudster -
Card not present fraud.
These smishing frauds often target payment cards - there is less of a return usually when a payment card is compromised -
Step one
- - A text is sent pretending to be a retailer/delivery company etc to thousands of people. This prompts the victim to pay some fee to get a product delivered or some other such story. The fee is often very small, €1 or €1.50 so the victim is not concerned!
Step two
- - the victim clicks a link to a fake but very real looking website, puts in their card details to make the payment.
Step three
- - The card details are now known to the fraudster
Step four
- - the card will be used to make online purchases, or to withdraw money in some cases
Advice
BE FRAUD AWARE
RED WARNING FLAG
When you get an unsolicited text from your bank or from a retailer that is causing you to be concerned about your bank account or prompting you to pay a fee by clicking on a link.
STOP - Think fraud and NEVER click on the link
RED WARNING FLAG
You were not thinking and click on a link that leads you to log in to your bank account or to make a payment using your debit and credit card - STOP AND THINK - IS THIS FRAUD? IT PROBABLY IS
STOP - Think fraud and NEVER click on the link
RED WARNING FLAG
You click on a link, log in and then receive a call from someone who purports to be from your bank or other business - they sound very professional - they ask you for access codes to your accounts, security codes sent to your phone or email, or for the pin number to your card - BANKS will never ask for log in details or security codes or answers to security questions over the phone
STOP - Think fraud and NEVER click on the link
NEVER click on the link
Delete the message.
Check your account through your banking app
If you are concerned, go into your bank or contact their fraud line and seek advice
If you have given away your details and then realise it is a fraud, contact your bank immediately, ask them to recall your money, if the fraud line is busy, call into your bank and ask for help
If your card is compromised, ask for it to be cancelled.
PROTECT your personal data, Name, Address, Date of Birth, PPS number etc
Never give this information in response to an unsolicited text, email or phonecall.
Garda Adrian Corcoran was in studio to discuss distracted driving, offering advice and explaining the dangers associated with it to the public. Distracted driving is the act of driving while engaging in other activities which distract the driver’s attention away from the road. Distractions are shown to compromise the safety of the driver, passengers, pedestrians, and people in other vehicles. Distracted driving includes talking or texting on your phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, adjusting the radio, entertainment or navigation system, anything that takes your attention away from the task of safe driving. It is estimated that driver distraction could play a role in 20-30% of all road collisions in this country.
Mobile phones are the number one distraction to drivers on Irish roads. Despite the fact that using mobile phones while driving is killing people on our roads, people continue to text, make phone calls, take selfies or update their social media pages while driving. Statistics show that making a call makes a driver four times more likely to be involved in a collision and texting makes a driver (23) times more likely to be involved in a collision.
From Adrian’s experience of enforcing this legislation it seems a lot of drivers think that the offence is talking onto the phone or holding it to their ear, this is not the case. The offence is holding a mobile phone while driving. This means that simply holding a mobile phone in your hand is an offence.
Supporting a mobile phone with any part of your body is also considered to be holding a mobile phone. An example of this would be supporting it between your head and shoulder.
It is illegal to access information on a mobile phone while driving, even if it’s in a cradle.
If taking or making calls while using your cars bluetooth system this should be done either through the buttons on the steering wheel or through voice commands. Hands-free or bluetooth systems can be just as distracting while driving so it’s advisable to only use when absolutely necessary and keep calls as short as possible.
Research shows that if you drive and use your mobile phone (hand-held or hands-free) it will hinder your driving in different ways. It makes it harder for you to:
- Keep in lane
- Drive at the right speed
- Keep a good distance from the car in front
- Judge safe gaps in traffic
Child distraction is the second biggest distraction to drivers on our roads. The most common types of distraction that children can cause include the driver turning to look at them or observing them by using rear view mirror, engaging in conversation, leaning into the back to help/pacify or in an attempt to play with them.
Attempting to attend to the children in the back puts not only everybody in the car at risk but also other road users. We would advise parents to give serious thought to your children’s need before you set off on your journey. If you need to attend to your children while driving find a safe place to pull over before doing so. Ensuring that children are properly restrained in their car seat is essential to reduce driver distraction.
A parent wouldn’t ignore their child screaming in the back without at least trying to intervene. The very act of attempting to attend to their children’s needs puts them and their children in mortal danger.
In my years as a member of Roads Policing Adrian has experienced drivers having their breakfast, putting on makeup to watching Netflix, all while driving.
In recent years Satellite Navigation systems in cars have become a major distraction to drivers. We would advise entering your co-ordinates or destination before you set off and if you need to make any adjustments along the way, again find a safe place to pull over and do so.
As we said earlier driver distraction comes in many forms and if something you are doing while driving feels intuitively wrong then it probably is wrong. The consequences for taking your attention away from your driving can be life changing for you and for others.
There are some simple things you can do to make sure there’s nothing to distract you and that your full attention is on the road.
Clear out clutter – cans and soft drink bottles rolling around under your seat are clearly a distraction.
If listening to playlists make sure they’re set up on your device before you leave.
Try not to drive if you’re feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or you think you won’t be able to give driving your full attention.
Secure your pet properly. Never let your pet travel loose in the car. Besides being a serious distraction, if they’re free to jump about inside the car, they’re more likely to be injured or injure you if you are involved in a collision.
Penalties
Mobile phone
If you are found to be holding a mobile phone while driving by a member of An Garda Síochána you will receive a fixed charge notice of €60 and 3 penalty points on your driving licence. If you choose not to pay the fixed charge and are then convicted in court you will get 5 penalty points and a fine of up to €2000.
Driver Distraction
If you are guilty of driver distraction the penalty will depend on the seriousness of the offence, and sometimes on how many offences you have committed in the past. It ranges from a fixed charge notice for the offence of ‘driving without reasonable consideration’ which will mean an €80 fine and 2 penalty points to the upper end of the scale, ‘dangerous driving causing death/serious injury’ where you could be fined up to €20000 and receive a jail sentence of up to 10 years.