30 January 2023

The Gardaí at Mullingar station are investigating a Cash in transit Robbery on Tuesday 20th January 2023, shortly after 6.15pm.  The Robbery began at a service station located eastbound on the N4 at Clongowney/Marlinstown and continued at a second location close to the N4 killucan / The Downs exit. 

The driver of the cash in transit van entered the forecourt of the garage and parked to the side of the shop, where he used the facilities.  As the driver returned to the van he was approached by a male suspect who had in his possession a large knife. 

The suspect then entered the van with the driver who was then ordered to open a safe.  The suspect then placed cash and cheques into a back pack and box which he had brought with him. The driver was then instructed to drive onto the N4, which he described as the “Autobahn” and exit at the Downs/Killucan junction. The driver then drove to a grass verge opposite Thomas Flynn and Sons Ltd, The Downs, Mullingar. The suspect then left the van when it’s believed he went in the direction of the R156 roundabout. 

Vehicles

Gardaí have managed to contact the owners of the vehicles that were at the service station at the time of this incident, with the exception of two, and they are appealing to these two vehicle owners to contact Gardaí as they may be able to assist in the investigation. 

These vehicles are:

• Citreon Berlingo (white) – (arrived at the service station shortly before 6pm, and parked away from the forecourt. It drove away at 6.30 pm, approximately 10 minutes before the Cash in transit van).
• Audi A6 (dark coloured) - arrived during the robbery – driver filled the car with Adblue before paying and leaving. 

Description of suspect: 

• Male
• Height - over 6'2”
• Strong/broad build
• Eastern European accent
• Brownish jacket with distinctive orange patches.
• Dark coloured bottoms
• Balaclava

Appeal:

• Can you identify the male suspect with the distinctive jacket and unusual shaped knife?
• The suspect entered the station forecourt on foot from the N4 East - Potentially crossed the dual carriageway from the Westbound side. Did you see him exiting a vehicle or on foot?
• Where you at either location on the night of the robbery? Did you see anything suspicious either before or after the robbery?
• Were you driving any of the vehicles that Gardaí want to identify. Do you know the owners or occupants of these vehicles?
• The suspect on foot towards The Downs/Killucan roundabout after Robbery. Did you see him getting into a vehicle and the direction he took from here?
• Do you have any information that may assist the investigation? Gardaí would like to assure you that your assistance will be treated with the utmost of sensitivity. 

Mullingar Garda station – Investigating – Tel (044) 938 4000

This week on Crimecall Sergeant Deirdre O’Neill was in studio offering advice on Farm Security.  While there has not been an increase in incidents over the last few years, there has been an increase in the amount of livestock / plant machinery, taken in each incident. 

Theft incidents from Farmland including property and livestock:

2022 – 166 incidents 

2021 - 146 incidents 

2020 – 186 incidents 

2019 – 131 incidents 

2018 – 158 incidents 

Of these theft incidents there was a substantial number of livestock taken:

Stolen Livestock 2022
Animal Type	Incidents	Stolen Animals
Cattle	32	286
Other Animals/livestock	27	148
Sheep	31	577
Grand Total	89	1011

 

  

Stolen Livestock 2023	Incidents	Stolen Animals
Total	*	18

* Figure is less than 10

 Every premises can benefit from a security review at least once a year.  This entails taking a look from the perimeter of the property inwards.   Areas of weakness should be looked for e.g. poor fencing and damaged gates.  A plan should then be made to improve and increase security. 

For remote areas or farms which are uninhabited there are some clever tech items available. They operate on Passive Infrared Sensors which are triggered by motion and can record both video and audio, some of which have night vision. They are 3G mobile, SIM enabled and battery operated with the option of solar panels.

This means no wiring and no broadband.  However, a 3G signal would be required.

These can be installed by a Private Security Authority approved installer and you can avail of monitored service or have the footage sent to your mobile phone.  They are particularly useful at entrances to yards and remote farms and areas where high value items are stored.  Good physical security with good lighting is always the best option, if access can be restricted to intruders its better than detection.

With regard to the property on the farms – securing the valuable items in a lock up is advised and using property marking devices.  An Garda Síochána’s property app could be used to record those details.  Tracking devices could be considered for the portable high valuable items.  These are small electronic devices that are battery operated and can omit a signal for up to 3 years which allows them to be placed into the frame of an item or concealed so they cannot be removed.

Alarming the sheds, yards and the home installed by a PSA approved installer is a good deterrent. 

Gardaí at Cavan Town investigating a burglary at Earlsvale Place, in the town on Friday, 2nd December 2022 are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying this male suspect.

Sometime between 5.10 – 5.30 pm it is suspected that the man forced a locked door and entered the house. Some presses were searched downstairs before he went upstairs where on meeting a female occupant he then left the house empty handed. 

Description of suspect:

• Age in his mid-30’s
• 6’2’’ in height
• Round face
• Wearing a light blue Airwalk cap with white lettering 

Cavan Garda Station – Investigating - Tel: (049) 436 8800

The Gardaí at Gort are investigating a fatal hit and run traffic collision that occurred on Friday 16th November 2012 at approximately 7.30pm. The victim Gerry Keane was fatally injured as he crossed the Gort to Galway road.

Gerry had intended going to Ardrahan to a Public house for the evening. Gerry was struck by a vehicle on the R458 (which was originally the N18), moments after he had been dropped off by a family member at the car park opposite the pub. Gerry was removed from the scene by ambulance to University Hospital Galway where he subsequently died from his injuries the following day.

This incident occurred 10 years ago and the family of Gerry have lived with this tragic death of their loved one and unfortunately no one has been brought to justice to date.

The Garda Crimecall appeal includes a pre-recorded interview with Gerry’s two brothers – Thomas and Albert on behalf of the family. 

Appeal:

• The focus on the appeal concentrates on a 5 door hatchback, metallic Ford Focus (2005 - 2011). This is the car Gardaí believe is the offending vehicle.
• Gardaí believe that the focus was damaged and are anxious to talk to anyone that may have repaired a similar vehicle in the days and weeks following the collision.
• Gardaí are making a direct appeal to the driver to contact them.
• Members of the public who can assist the investigation in anyway are asked to make contact.
• Do you know anything about the offending car or the driver on the night in question or since?

Gort Garda Station – Investigating -Telephone 091 636400

Gardaí at Leixlip Garda Station are investigating a hijacking of a car at Derrinturn, Co. Kildare and the subsequent theft of fuel at Monread Fare, Co. Kildare.

On Sunday 18th December 2022 at approximately 5pm the male owner of a white Renault Captur, Registration number 222 KE 1576, stopped for fuel at a service station at Derrinturn. His pregnant partner remained in the passenger seat of the vehicle while he went into the shop. 

During this time, a man in a red jacket with a fur collar on the hood, walked around the service station and the surrounding shops. He subsequently approached the injured party’s car while the female was still sitting inside.  The suspect opened the driver’s side door, shouted at the injured party and pushed her out of the car.  The suspect then drove the car in the Allenwood direction. Approximately 30 minutes later, at  Monread Fare, Co. Kildare, the suspect filled   the Renault Captur with fuel and drove away without paying. 

Description of Suspect

• Age - late 20’s to early 30’s
• Height - approximately 5'7"/8”
• Average Build
• Blue eyes, white skin and had stubble.
• His hair was light in colour, unkempt hair with a bald patch on top.
• He spoke with a Dublin accent 

Appeal 

• Did you see the white Renault Captur, registration number 222 KE 1576, on the 18th December 2022 after 5pm or since?
• This vehicle is still to be recovered and maybe parked somewhere perhaps with a different registration number. Are you aware of a similar model car parked in your locality since this date that perhaps looks out of place?
• Do you recognise the suspect captured on cctv, wearing a distinctive red coat?
• Were you in the Derrinturn, Prosperous or Monread Fare areas on this date? Did you see anything or do you have dash cam footage?
• Are you now in a position to offer that critical piece of information that will assist the investigation?
• Do you have CCTV of the route the suspect travelled?
• Gardaí would like to thank the public for their co-operation so far and reassure them of the importance of assisting with the investigation. 

Leixlip Garda Station – Investigating -Tel: 01-6667800

On this month’s Crimecall Garda Adrian Corcoran was in studio discussing pedestrian safety/road fatalities and to offer safety advice to all road users. 

Review of 2022 Road Deaths and Pedestrian Safety

A total of 156 people died in 150 fatal road collisions in 2022, compared to 137 deaths in 124 fatal road collisions in 2021. This represents an increase of 18 deaths or a 13% rise in road fatalities compared to 2021.

There were 42 pedestrians killed in fatal collisions in 2022, over double the number killed in 2021, (which was 20). Cork (13), Dublin (13) and Limerick (10) recorded the highest number of fatalities by county (23% of total).

Over a half (52%) of fatalities occurred between Friday and Sunday.

A fifth (20%) of fatalities occurred between 4pm and 6pm.

1,292 people were seriously injured in collisions.

2022 saw a rise in fatalities on our roads. The most worrying statistic from these figures is the number of pedestrians that lost their lives on our roads in 2022.

2022 Fatalities per Road User:

Fatalities - Road User	2021 Fatalities	2022 Fatalities	Diff	Diff (%)
Driver	71	61	-10	-14%
Passenger	18	22	+4	+22%
Pedestrian	19	42	+23	+121%
Pedal cyclist	7	7	0	0%
Motorcyclist	22	23	+1	+5%
E-Scooter Driver/Passenger	0	1	+1	N/A
	137	156	+19	+14%

 

Pedestrian Safety

On the October 24th Crimecall last year we spoke about pedestrian safety and at that time 22 pedestrians had lost the lives. In the 10 weeks from that programme until the end of 2022 a further 20 pedestrians were killed. We also spoke about the fact that October to January is the high risk period for pedestrian deaths with the majority occurring during the hours of darkness. We are still at a time of year where we have dark mornings and evenings so I would ask pedestrians to ensure that they are visible to other road users. 

Appeal

• l Stop, look and listen
• l Don’t try to cross the road between parked cars
• l If possible, cross at a pedestrian crossing or traffic lights
• l Never cross at a bend
• l If there is a footpath use it
• l If there is no footpath, walk/run/jog on the right hand side of the road, facing oncoming traffic and keeping as close as possible to the side of the road
• l Walk no more than two abreast and if the road is narrow or there is heavy traffic, walk in single file

As a pedestrian, you are one of the most vulnerable road users. So it’s important that you practice good road safety and take personal responsibility in keeping yourself and others safe on our roads. More than two thirds of fatal pedestrian collisions happen at night. Although you can hear a car coming and see its lights, the driver may not see you, and certainly won’t hear you.

To protect yourself make sure you;

• l Always wear a pair of reflective armbands, high-visibility belt or other reflective or fluorescent clothing which will help you to be seen from a distance
• l Carry a torch on country roads 

High-visibility vests are free to order from RSA.ie

Hi-Viz clothing works by distinguishing the wearer from the visual clutter by means of being brighter through fluorescence, or by increasing night time visibility through the use of reflective stripes and markings.

Hi-Viz clothing is a passive safety measure, which is shown in lab studies to increase the distance at which a person or object is noticed by an observer.

Driver Advice

Drivers account for 39% of the total fatalities in 2022 with 61 deaths. There are 4 leading driver behaviours which are a factor in the majority of fatal collisions. Known as lifesaver offences they are, speeding, mobile phone use, seatbelt offences and driving while intoxicated.

During 2022 An Garda Síochána detected 165,115 speeding offences, 5862 detected not wearing a seatbelt, 18399 drivers detected holding a mobile phone and 8064 arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated through drink or drugs or a combination of both (5346 drink driving/2718 drug driving).

Speeding is the biggest contributing factor to road deaths in Ireland, it’s a factor in one third of all fatal collisions.

The higher the speed, the greater the likelihood of a collision happening. We are asking people to slow down and always drive within the speed limits.

Where it was possible to establish the use of a seatbelt or not among drivers killed in 2022, a total of 19% were found not to have been wearing a seatbelt.

Our advice is to everyone, whether driving or a passenger, please ensure that you are wearing your seat belt before you set off.

Seat belts dramatically reduce the risk of death and serious injury in the event of a collision.

Statistics show that making a call makes a driver 4 times more likely to be involved in a collision and texting makes a driver a staggering 23 times more likely to be involved in a collision.

Simply holding a mobile phone in your hand is an offence, you don’t have to be on a call.

Driving while intoxicated continues to be a problem on Irish roads. I would appeal to people to;

• Never, ever drink / drug drive
• Book a taxi or use public transport
• Nominate a ‘designated driver’
• Make sure you are alcohol free the next morning 

With the introduction of the new drug testing device we expect the number of road side drug tests to greatly increase during 2023. We will also continue to test people for the presence of alcohol on the roadside. Please ensure that you don’t get behind the wheel while intoxicated from drink or drugs.

The Gardaí at Pearse Street Garda Station are investigating a robbery which occurred on 30th July 2022 at approximately 00:40am.  On the night in question, a male was out socialising in the Temple Bar area, Dublin 2.  After leaving a public house, he walked down East Essex Street and onto Sycamore Street.  Two suspects are captured on CCTV following him and then waiting near the junction of Sycamore Street and East Essex Street.  A short time later, the suspects return down Sycamore Street and approach the injured party.  One of the suspects punched the man to the face causing him to lose consciousness and fall to the ground.  The injured party receives a kick while he lay on the ground, before his phone, watch and wallet were taken. They then leave the area, and travel from Sycamore Street across the River Liffey towards North King Street where the injured party’s bank cards are used at an ATM. 

Description of Suspects

Suspect 1:      

• Height - 5'10"
• Slim build
• Short black hair
• Wearing black shirt and black shorts and carrying a black satchel bag.

Suspect 2:     

• Height - Approximately 5'8"
• Slim build
• Short black hair
• Wearing a black jumper with gold stripe across it and black jeans. 

Appeal:

• Were you in the Temple Bar, Dublin 2 area on 30th July 2022 between 00:15 and 1am?
• Were you a customer in the shop on North King Street?
• Do you recognise the men captured on CCTV?
• There were two witnesses to the robbery and Gardaí are appealing for them to come forward to assist with their investigation. 

Pearse Street Garda Station – Investigating - Tel: 01-6669000