23 September 2024

On this month’s Crimecall, Crime Prevention segment, Sergeant John Fitzpatrick provided information in relation to Burglary advice and discussed ‘Operation Thor’ and ‘Lock Up Light Up’ the anti-burglary awareness campaign. 

Since 2015, Operation Thor actively targets organised crime groups and repeat offenders through coordinated crime prevention and enforcement activity based on intelligence and the latest burglary trends. An Garda Síochána cooperate with our European partners on addressing burglary, especially those committed by Organised Crime Groups, through various EMPACT and Europol initiatives

The Winter Phase of Operation Thor will launch in October 2024, with Garda divisions increasing checkpoints / patrols in burglary hot-spots and motorway network. Gardaí will promote awareness around property safety through Neighbourhood Watch and Community Alert. 

5,739 incidents of Burglary (not aggravated) took place between January and August 2023. This compares to 6,150 incidents in the same period last year, a decrease of 7%.

Compared to the summer months, figures* show that that there can be a surge in burglaries during the winter months, particularly during the hours of 5pm to 9pm.

While burglary levels are still significantly lower than pre-pandemic times, there were 3,735 incidents reported since April 2023. The monthly average for this period was 747 incidents per month which is a decrease of 3.7% on the same period in 2022 and a 2.5% reduction compared to 2022/2023 winter phase (October – March).

A reason for this rate potentially remaining low compared to pre-pandemic times is possibly due to people still working for home meaning fewer houses are vacant.

From April 2023 – 01/09/2023:

• There have been 3,735 burglary incidents reported nationally.
• 2,332 (62.4%) of these incidents have been residential burglary.
• The highest amount of burglaries during this period occurred in June and July.

‘‘Lock Up Light Up’ is An Garda Síochána's anti-burglary awareness campaign which encourages homeowners to protect their homes over the winter months. Winter burglaries can regularly involve a premises that was unsecured. There is also an increase in the use of entrances at the rear of the residence during winter months, possibly due to being able to operate more easily in the cover of darkness. 

Simple steps can help protect your home, so whether you are at home or going out remember:

• Turn on some lights, LED bulbs are more energy efficient than traditional bulbs.
• Use timer switches / motion detectors / smart lights (turn on lights via phone or timer settings)
• Use motion detector / sensor lights outside, make sure the lights emanating from them covers the door and not just the area near the door.
• Lock all doors and windows as part of your regular routine.
• Use an alarm – get it serviced and ensure battery pack is working.
• Store keys away from windows and doors.
• Don’t keep large amounts of cash or jewellery in the house.

By taking these simple steps it should reduce the likelihood of a burglary occurring as it will “target harden” you home, deter burglars and protect homes.

Analysis shows that a large number of all burglaries are through the front doors - with most burglars using their own body to gain entry. Other key findings include:

• Burglars can commonly target back doors, back windows and front windows, with numerous cases involving a burglar getting access through an unsecured door or window. 
• Jewellery and cash remain are a commonly stolen object.
• Computers, mobile phones, TVs and games consoles are also common amongst items stolen. 
• A large number of burglaries occur between 5pm and 11pm.
• The practice of ‘fishing’, where car keys are fished through a letterbox by burglars is also a problem.

The Garda at Castleblayney station are investigating an incident of Criminal Damage at Corrintra, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan. On April 28 2024 at approximately 5.15pm  Gardaí received a call from the victim, reporting that he had petrol poured over a recovery vehicle lorry he was driving. The incident was captured by dashcam footage and shows the suspect driving a white Ford Transit which had both registration plates removed.

The Ford Transit which was travelling from the  Annayalla direction, blocked the path of the victim’s lorry with the suspect then getting out carrying a red jerry can and approaching him. The can is believed to have contained petrol which was then poured over the victim’s lorry. The suspect then returned to the van and as he drove away he made a gesture as if flicking a cigarette towards the victim.

The victim reported that immediately prior to this incident shortly before 5pm, the same White Ford Transit can be seen driving along the road outside of the garage premises in the Corrintra area.

Description of suspect vehicle:

• Ford Transit Custom van(mid-size), model 2012 - 2017
• registration plates removed
• Roof-bars
• Colour – white

Description of suspect: 

• Suspect is best described as a male in his 30s/40s, brown hair with facial stubble, medium build.
• Wearing a black hooded waist length jacket, with a red beanie cap on.
• Inside shirt is red in colour with grey trim that runs up the button line of suspects shirt.

Garda appeal:

• Where you in the Corrintra area on the day in question? Did you see anything suspicious?
• Did you see the white Ford Transit van, which is believed to be a Ford Transit Custom van which is a mid-size Ford Transit, model 2012 - 2017?
• Do you know the identity of the suspect(s)?

Gardaí at Clontarf Garda Station are investigating a robbery incident that occurred at 6pm on 9th June 2024.  On the date in question in Fairview Park, Dublin 3, the victim was approached by a male suspect described as being in his early to mid-twenties who was on a white Carrera bike.  The male produced a knife and demanded the victim’s keys and electric scooter.  The suspect then left Fairview Park with the electric scooter in the direction of Ballybough, leaving the bike behind.  The knife used in this incident is described as being 5 inches long, fully black with a serrated curved top.

Description of Suspect

• Male
• 19 to 25 years
• 5’5” to 5’6”
• Slim build
• Broad square face, High cheekbones, Clean shaven
• Oval shaped eyes
• Ears Covered with hood
• Black short hair brushed to one side
• Open cut under his right eye (kind of shaped like a teardrop)
• Strong Dublin accent
• Dark grey north face tracksuit red zip left hand side chest pocket.

On Wednesday 10th July 2024 at approximately 1.10pm at Kilbride Lane, Bray, Co. Wicklow the victim was walking with two small children when a male approached her, produced a knife and threatened her. The victim quickly fled the scene.

Suspect Description:

• White
• Early 30’s
• Height 5”6’ – 5”7’ approx.
• Slim build
• Blonde short hair - longer at the sides of his face
• Large, long and full eyebrows
• Dark coloured eyes with short dark eyelashes
• Long shaped nose with two red marks on either side
• Small lips and curve shaped ears
• Older face, drawn out, tanned with wrinkles across the cheeks
• Strong Irish country accent
• Carried a backpack on his back

Gardaí at Navan Garda Station are investigating the death of twenty-six year old Paul Gallagher who was fatally shot just over ten years ago at a field at Ballymacan, Co. Meath on Monday the 28 July 2014. 

Sometime after 4pm, Paul and another man travelled towards Dundalk, Co. Louth on the M1 motorway. The other man was driving his red Volkswagen Golf car and Paul was a passenger. They travelled through the M1 Toll Bridge at Drogheda and may have exited the motorway at junction 14.

Paul met someone at the hard shoulder and they spoke for a short time. He got back into the car and they drove onto the M1 Southbound motorway. They were seen at the Applegreen services at Castlebellingham. They had no change for the toll bridge so they exited the M1 at Drogheda. Paul and the other man travelled down a number of country roads. They then travelled under the bridge at Oldbridge, towards Slane Co.Meath They came to a farmhouse at Ballymacan and spent some time there.

The two men returned to the car and travelled home.  They stopped at the Brink Service Station in Slane and travelled on a number of country roads back to Dublin, when Paul returned home.

At around 10.30pm that evening, Paul contacted the other man again and they returned to the farm at Ballymacan, possibly picking up two other males in Tullyallen Village on the way.  

Two days later, Paul’s remains were discovered in a field on farmland at Ballymacan- he had been fatally shot.

Garda Appeal

• Did you recall seeing Paul Gallagher who was accompanied by another man, earlier in the day on Monday the 28th July 2014 at Junction 14 on the hard shoulder of the M1 and / or in the general area? You may not have been in a position to come forward 10 years ago, but may be able to do so now?
• Were you in the Tullyallen area of Drogheda and did you see any suspicious activity?
• Were you in the Ballymacan area on this night and did you see any suspicious activity?
• Were you the driver of a blue Subaru car that was in the area on the Monday night, 28th July 2014, or did anyone witness this vehicle in the vicinity on that night or at any other time in the days leading up to the 28th July 2014?
• Do you have any information in relation that may assist the investigation?
• We would like to assure anyone who felt they were unable to come forward previously, but now feel they can do so now, that they will be treated with sensitivity and compassion.

This year so far, 130 people have lost their lives on our roads. That is one more than this time last year. As we all know last year was the worst year for fatalities in a decade. Unfortunately, this year is no different.

130 is not just a number, it is 130 lives. 130 people who went out on our roads and never came home. There is a ripple affect too. Families who’s loved have been destroyed because their loved ones are never coming home. Mothers & fathers have lost sons and daughters. Friends have been torn apart. It’s devastating.

Unfortunately, we continue to see the trend of younger drivers being disproportionately represented in the figures. 25% of drivers who died this year were under 25.

Despite these figured, we continue to see motorists flouting the law when it comes to driving safely. To date this year An Garda Síochána have issued the following tickets:

Driving while Holding a Mobile Phone: 16,009

Speeding: 98,810

So, as road users, what can we do? We need to take personal responsibility when using the road network. Driving is one of the most dangerous things we do on a weekly basis. We have to bear that in mind every time we go behind the wheel. If you engage in any of the behaviours listed above, you are far more likely to be involved in a collision, and that collision may result in someone losing their life. We have to stop with the “it won’t happen to me” attitude and start getting serious about road safety. We have to look at our driver behaviour. What do I mean by that? I think we have to return to the basics.

• Leave enough time for your journey
• Always be conscious of other Road users
• Do not get distracted, by anything.
• Read the road/signs
• Get the little things right
• Be patient & respectful
• Adapt your driving to the road a weather conditions.
• Always remember that driving is dangerous. Treat it with respect.

Members of An Garda Síochána & in particular our Roads Policing Units, are out every day detecting driving offences, but we cannot be everywhere. We need drivers to take responsibility. Drive safely every time you get behind the wheel. Don’t do anything that will put your life and the lives of others at risk. It is just not worth it.

The Gardaí at Clontarf Station, are investigating the discovery of unidentified human remains of a man located at Dollymount Strand,Clontarf,Dublin 3.

BACKGROUND:

On 11th February 1994, the remains of the unknown male were found floating in the water at Dollymount Strand, close to the Wooden bridge and the statue of Our Lady. The remains were in a state of decomposition, making identification impossible.

A post-mortem was carried out at the time, and dental records taken indicated his age to be between 45-55 years. It was believed the man had been in the water for several weeks. Despite circulation of his details through Interpol and local media the man’s identity was never been established. Just over a year later on 24 February 1995 the coroner returned a verdict of death by drowning.

CURRENT INVESTIGATION:

During May 2023, the Department of Justice launched an initiative to identify a number of Unidentified Human Remains due to technical advances in DNA in recent years.

In October 2023, the man’s remains which had been buried in Glasnevin Cemetery, were exhumed in order to retrieve a DNA sample. Dr Laureen Buckley, Forensic Anthropologist, conducted the examination and provided some bone samples, which were sent to Forensic Science Ireland (FSI).

Dr Stephen Clifford (FSI) was able to retrieve a DNA profile. This profile was uploaded to the National and European databases, but unfortunately this didn’t yield a match. It was then that Sergeant Geraldine Ross, (Clontarf Station), decided to explore developing a facial reconstruction from the skull.

The skull was subsequently brought to the Mater hospital in Dublin where a radiologist conducted a CT scan of the skull. The scan was then sent to Professor Caroline Wilkinson, Director of Forensic Research at Liverpool John Moore’s University, where the team produced a facial reconstruction.

Description:

• Height - 5’10 to 6’
• Caucasian
• Build - Medium to heavy
• At least middle aged
• Smoker
• Right-handed
• Healed vertebrae injury (that may have been the cause of some early arthritis in their back)

 Clothing/belongings:

• Charcoal pin stripe suit
• White shirt
• Bright multi coloured tie
• Italian slip-on size eight shoes with the Patrizio label.
• Pope John Paul II medal
• Miraculous medal and religious items relating to St Bernadette and St Anthony were found in his pocket.