27 June 2022

On this month’s Crimecall, Sergeant Graham Kavanagh was in studio to discuss personal safety, vehicle and bike security, as we all begin to enjoy Summer 2022. With more movement and people getting out and about we traditionally see criminals taking opportunities to commit crime. We can all greatly reduce these opportunities together by taking some steps. 

In total, just over €36 million in value was stolen in Theft from Vehicle incidents from 2016 – 2020. The average reported value of property stolen per incident is approximately €660.  The average value of cash stolen from vehicles per incident is approximately €330. 

Between 2012 and 2021 an average of 5,993 bikes were stolen per year in Ireland. 

Recovery rates are low. Around 90% of bikes stolen in 2021 are still recorded as stolen.

Almost 3,597 bikes were reported stolen in Dublin in 2021 - 70% of all bike thefts in 2021 occurred in Dublin. 

1,603 bikes were stolen in Dublin City Centre in 2021 – that’s almost one third of all bike thefts nationally 

Twice as many bikes are stolen in summer than in winter 

The peak months for bike theft are July, August, September and October 

Two thirds of bikes are stolen from public places such as on the street or in a car park, while one third are from residential locations such as from a house, garden or shed 

Personal Safety when out and about 

• - Plan your route beforehand to minimise checking maps on the street.
• - Mind your belongings when in crowded areas. Use a bag with a strap that goes around your neck and diagonally across your body.
• - Keep to populated areas and avoid deserted streets at night.
• - Don’t bring attention to yourself by wearing expensive jewellery or leaving belongings exposed.
• - Be aware of your surroundings, walk purposefully and confidently.
• - Avoid taking short-cuts through deserted areas particularly after dark.
• - If you are travelling to a remote area inform somebody where you are going.
• - Camp in approved sites only-never pitch a tent in open spaces or public areas. 

Mind your money 

• - Store any excess cash and other valuables in the safe in your accommodation.
• - Do not carry all your money in the one place. If travelling as a couple or in a group divide the money between you.
• - Don’t carry more money with you than you intend to spend during the day.
• - If you have to carry excess cash or valuables use a discreet money belt inside your clothing.
• - Be alert when withdrawing money from cash machines. 

Car Safety 

• - Become familiar with your route before you start the trip.
• - If you have rented a car, make sure it is in good working order. Learn how all the windows, door locks and other equipment work before you leave the rental premises.
• - Keep car doors locked while you are driving.
• - Don’t leave luggage or valuables visible inside a parked car.
• - Don’t leave luggage attached to a roof rack.
• - When visiting city centre areas, park your car in a secure car park and retain the parking ticket on your person.
• - Always lock your car when leaving it unattended, even for brief periods.
• - At night, park in well-lit areas.
• - When checking into your accommodation, always ask about secure car parking. 

Theft from Cars

We are advising the public to take care of their property when parking in remote, unguarded locations:

• - Leave your valuables at home where possible.
• - Choose your parking spot carefully. Well maintained and well-lit car parks are best.
• - Avoid areas with evidence of break ins, such as broken glass or anti-social behaviour.
• - Do not park illegally or obstruct vehicles.

When leaving your car:

• - Take your keys.
• - Secure and conceal valuable property.
• - Leave the empty glove box open.
• - Make sure all doors, windows are locked, and car is alarmed.
• - Report suspicious activity and crimes to 999/112. 

When is it happening?

• - Over the last 5 years, 60% of theft from car incidents, associated with outdoor activities such as coastal and scenic areas, were reported in summer (April – Sept).
• - The majority of thefts from cars in coastal and scenic locations occur on the weekends between 2pm and 7pm.

What’s taken?

• - The average value of cash stolen from vehicles per incident is approximately €330.
• - Jewellery/Trophies were the highest value objects stolen.
• - Tools accounted for the highest total amount of value stolen.

Gardaí at Gorey investigating a burglary at Kilenerin, Gorey, Co. Wexford on the 2 May 2022 at 3pm, are looking for the public’s assistance in identifying the above individual.

On the date in question, a woman was outside her house, gardening, when she observed a male walking out the front door of her home with a bag.  When the injured party confronted this male, he fled the scene in a 2009 grey Honda Civic. 

Items of jewellery were taken during the course of the burglary.  One of the items was an old engagement ring, which had a stone was missing.

Descriptionof suspect:

• Approximately 1m 85cm (6ft) tall
• Slim build
• Clean shaven
• Mid-twenties
• Local Gorey accent
• He was wearing a navy blue hoody and jeans. 

Gardaí at Gorey Garda Station, Investigating. Tel: 053-9430690 

Gardaí at Coolock Garda Station are seeking to identify the male suspect in the above evofit in relation to a robbery that occurred on Clarehall Avenue, Dublin 13 on the 17 May 2022 at 12.20pm.

The injured party was walking home from work when a vehicle stopped and two male suspects got out and approached him. During the incident the injured party’s brown jacket and wallet were taken. He was hit a number of times to the face and was injured. 

Description of suspect: 

• - Approximately 1m 68cm (5ft 6) in height
• - Thin build
• - Blue eyes
• - Blond hair
• - Black / dark blue hoodie
• - Possibly in late teens or early 20’s 

Gardaí at Coolock Garda Station - Investigating tel: (01) 666 4200

On 17 November 2021 Brian Kinsella was reported missing to Waterford Gardaí. Brian is missing from his home in Gracedieu Heights, Waterford. He left his house at 9:15am saying he was going to a phone shop in Waterford City center. It is known that he walked into Waterford City where he was seen on CCTV walking past St Dominic’s Credit Union and Geraghty’s Tyre shop at 10:15am. This is the last known sighting of Brian. 

Description of Brian:  6ft, slim build, brown hair, brown eyes and with a short beard.  He wore glasses.  When last seen he was wearing a light blue rain jacket, black Adidas tracksuit bottoms with a white stripe on the side, black runners with a white sole and a black baseball cap. 

Extensive searches have been carried out over the past number of months in the area of Bilberry, Waterford and also the River Suir and Waterford Greenway.  

The following persons / organisations have been involved:

• - Garda Helicopter
• - Garda Water Unit
• - Coast Guard
• - Rescue 117
• - Marine Search and Rescue
• - River Rescue
• - Civil Defence
• - Mallow Search and Rescue
• - Local Volunteers
• - Family & Friends 

 Appeal

• Did you have any contact with Brian either prior to or since he has gone missing?
• Have you seen Brian since he was reported missing?
• Where you in the area of Bilberry/Waterford Greenway on the date in question seen him or anyone matching his description? 

Gardaí at Waterford Garda Station investigating. Tel: 051-305300

The Gardaí at Coolock are investigating the case of missing person forty one year old Jason Macken. Jason was last seen on the 28 December 2015, at the River Liffey Boardwalk, close to the Rosie Hackett Bridge, Dublin City Centre. 

Jason originally from the Macroom area of Coolock, Dublin 17, had been sleeping rough for a three year period prior to his disappearance. While belonging to the homeless community, Jason slept rough using tents frequenting old factories /units at the Coolock and Dublin City Centre areas. 

During the Christmas period of 2015 Jason spent time at both his family home and ex-partners home at the Coolock area. At some point around St. Stephen’s Day Jason left his ex-partners home at Moatview, Coolock. The next sighting of Jason is 28 December 2015 at Dublin City Centre, which is the last known sighting of him. 

Description of Jason: 

• Height - 5’10” – 5’ 11”
• Build - slight, gaunt
• Accent - Dublin
• Age - 41
• Hair/Skin - dark short hair, clean shaven, white skin, blue eyes
• Tattoos – ‘Irish Fighter’ tattoo on left upper arm, green in colour with some red. 

Garda Appeal: 

• To the public who may have any information that may assist them find Jason Macken.
• Any person who may have seen Jason during the Christmas period of 2015 and the days leading into New Year 2016 who may have any information in relation to the circumstances surrounding his disappearance to come forward.
• Jason Macken was homeless at the time of disappearance and known to sleep rough in tents and abandoned factories/units in Coolock and Dublin City Centre.
• We are particularly appealing to the homeless community and those assisting people in this area to come forward with any information.
• Any person who may have any information and did not come forward previously for any reason, can contact us at the Garda Confidential line on 1800 – 666 111. 

Gardaí at Coolock Garda Station – Investigating - Tel 01 - 6664200

Gardaí at Portlaoise Garda Station are continuing to appeal for assistance in relation to the disappearance of 25 year old Fiona Pender who was last seen in August 1996.

Fiona was living at Church Street, Tullamore, Offaly in a flat that she shared with her partner.

She was 25 years old and seven and a half months pregnant. Fiona’s family were looking forward to the arrival of her baby following the tragic death of her older brother Mark, the previous year. 

Fiona was a native of Tullamore and grew up in Connolly Park, in the town, with her parents Sean and Josephine, her older brother Mark and younger brother John. Fiona was well known in Tullamore and had worked as a model and a hairdresser in the locality. 

Garda Appeal: 

• An extensive Garda investigation was undertaken and a large amount of searches were conducted in surrounding areas through the years, but unfortunately no trace of Fiona has been found.
• While arrests were made in relation to this case, unfortunately charges were never brought. Gardaí are seeking information that would help in bringing the person(s) responsible for her death to justice.
• Fiona’s family were greatly affected by the disappearance of Fiona and her mother Josephine, who campaigned for years for justice for her daughter, sadly passed away in 2017 without having Fiona’s body returned to her. Fiona’s father Sean died in 2000 not knowing what had happened to his daughter.
• Since Fiona’s disappearance, circumstances may have changed and perhaps there is someone who has information who didn’t feel comfortable coming forward previously but is now in a position to do so.
• An Garda Síochána would like to reassure any person who feels that they can assist with the investigation that any information received will be treated in a compassionate and sensitive manner. 

Gardaí at Tullamore Garda Station - investigating Tel: (057) 867 4100

The Gardaí at Finglas Garda Station are continuing to investigate the double murder of Mark Noonan and Glen Murphy that occurred on Tuesday the 23 November 2010 at approximately 11.40pm at Clearwater Service Station, Finglas, Dublin 11.

Both men travelled to the service station in Mark’s Toyota Avensis. A BMW saloon vehicle registration number 06D13665 pulled into the forecourt of the service station and a number of shots were discharged, both men died at the scene.

The BMW drove out of the service station and travelled onto the Finglas dual carriage way. They travelled onto the M50 and exited at the M50/M1 Junction. They travelled northbound on the M1 and drove through the M1 Toll Plaza at Drogheda, Co. Meath. 

Garda Appeal:

• The investigation into Mark Noonan and Glen Murphy’s murder remains an active and open investigation, which is being co-ordinated from an incident room at Finglas Garda station. To date the investigation has developed many lines of enquiry and numerous statements have been taken. 

• Gardaí would like to take this opportunity to thank the public for their assistance to date. However, Gardaí believe that there are individuals out there who, with a passage of time, may now feel ready to assist with the investigation. Gardaí would like to assure these people they will be treated with sensitivity and compassion. 

• Garda believe that a BMW 5 series was used by the suspects. Did you see this car either before, during or since the murders? In addition to the known escape route taken to the M1 toll, Gardaí believe that this car was in the Warrenpoint area of Co. Down in the days prior to the murders. 

• Do you know who the occupants of this car were on the night in question? Did you see the car or the suspects involved either before or after the murders? Are you in a position to offer that critical piece of information that will help the Noonan and Murphy families get closure? If so, please get in touch. 

Gardaí at Finglas Garda Station - Investigating.  Tel: (01) 666 7500

On this month’s Crimecall Chief Superintendent Michael Hennebry of the Garda National Roads Policing Bureau was in studio to raise awareness in relation to the increase in road fatalities and discuss the launch of the Garda Social Media Campaign, “Be a Lifesaver Road Safety' Campaign. 

The campaign is aimed at encouraging all motorists to slow down and for us all to influence loved ones to do likewise.

So far 83 people have died in road collisions in 2022, an increase of 32 on 2021. While the increase may partially be explained by a traffic volume reduction during the Covid pandemic, should recent trends continue, we could end up having one of the worst years in a decade, serving as a reminder, if one was needed, that we all need to change our behaviour on the roads. 

However, An Garda Síochána is acknowledging that we need the public’s support to make change happen and have decided to launch “Be a Lifesaver Road Safety Campaign.” The initiative aims to encourage all road users to consider and adjust their behaviour on the roads and to influence others in their family, social and community circles to do likewise. 

We are encouraging national and local influencers to post messages on their social media platforms encouraging people within their communities to “slow down”. It is envisaged that the social influencers will come from sporting, media, cultural, musical and other public backgrounds. Some such influencers, include football legend Paul McGrath, and singer ,song writer, radio and tv presenter, Nicky Byrne to name but a few, who gave their support to the campaign by posting a message. 

Michael highlighted speed as a critical contributory factor, to fatal road traffic collisions and that the World Health Organisation estimated that a 5% reduction in average speed could result in a 30% reduction in fatal collisions. The campaign is initially aimed at encouraging all motorists to slow down and for us all to influence loved ones to do likewise. 

While a driver may have a competent skill set ordinarily, should they choose to engage in some form of distraction, then invariably their ability to drive safely is seriously compromised. Some distraction examples include; holding a mobile phone, watching Netflix, eating breakfast and reading. All of which take the driver’s concentration away from the road. The non-use of seatbelts is another cause for concern and contributor to our road fatalities.

Apart from the social media aspect to the campaign, viewers were asked to challenge and influence the driving habits of a loved one, friend or family member. 

Finally, viewers were reminded that the effort to reduce road fatalities is everyone’s business and we should all take responsibility for our own driving habits. The word “behaviour” was said to be central to this new campaign and apart from the social media aspect to the campaign, viewers were asked to challenge and influence the driving of a loved one, friend or family member.

Gardaí at Cabra Garda Station are investigating an incident of sexual assault, at Mill Road in Blanchardstown on the 18 March last, at approximately 6.15pm. The incident occurred in a wooded area adjacent to the bridge at Mill Road, which is a roadway which leads from Blanchardstown Village to James Connolly Memorial Hospital. 

Garda Appeal: 

• The investigation team is appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time who may be able to assist with the investigation to come forward. 

• A man who came to the victim’s aid and went to the nearby Connolly hospital and returned to the scene with two medical personnel. The men then left as the medical personnel attended to the victim.This male witness may have vital information which could help with the investigation. Are you this man or do you think you know who he is? 

• If you have any information that can help please contact Crimecall on 1800 40 50 60. 

Description of witness: 

• The male witness is described as wearing a pink T-Shirt and shorts and may have been jogging in the area at the time. 

Gardaí at Cabra Garda Station, Investigating – Tel 01-666 7400