24 February

Episode Date

10th Year Anniversary - Murder Investigation – Peter Murphy – Mallow, Co.Cork.

Gardaí at Mallow Garda Station continue to investigate all the circumstances surrounding the death of thirty-six-year-old Peter Murphy, whose remains were found on Saturday February 7th 2015, at a rented property at Shanavoher, Bweeng, Mallow, Co. Cork. This year marks the 10th Anniversary of the death of Peter and again we are appealing to the public for any information to assist with the Investigation.

At approximately 1.10pm on the 7th February 2015 Mallow Gardaí received a call that there was broken glass outside the front door of the property. Peter’s remains were located in the house. A subsequent post mortem examination revealed that he had died as a result of having received serious injuries.

Peter maintained regular contact with his family and a close circle of friends - speaking with members of his family a number of times during the course of any day. Thursday, February 5th 2015 was no different as Gardaí have established that the last contact Peter had with family and friends was on this date.

Garda Appeal:

An Garda Síochána have and will continue to Investigate the circumstances of Peter Murphy’s death and are very grateful for all those who have come forward and assisted with the investigation and provided information during the intervening years. However, we still require your help, and it is never too late to come forward and help bring closure for Peter’s family. Please be assured that any assistance will be treated with sensitivity and compassion.
The focus of our appeal is to a specific small circle of people who have information that can assist with this murder investigation.
We together with Peter’s Family are appealing to those individuals to look into their conscience and unburden themselves of whatever information they may have - no matter how small or insignificant they might believe it to be.
We believe that the key to progressing this investigation remains within the local community. Peter’s death will have been a talking point over the years and you may hold that critical piece of information.
Peter’s family remain devastated by this terrible crime and are still struggling to come to terms with his death and deserve closure. We together with Peter’s family are appealing for your help. It has been (10) years since and during that time your relationships associations, loyalties may have changed. You may not be constrained by the set of circumstances that existed for you back in 2015, and therefore feel better placed to unburden yourself.

Mallow Garda Station - Tel. (022) 31450

Burglary Investigation - Service Station Fermoy Co. Cork

The Gardaí at Fermoy Garda Station are investigating a burglary incident that occurred at Dublin Road, Fermoy on Tuesday January 14th 2025. The suspects drove a Renault Megane arriving into the town shortly after 3.20am.

A few minutes later they turned right into a cul de sac adjacent to the Filling Station, where they parked the Megane. Two male suspects then made their way to the station forecourt, and towards the rear of the building, before returning with a concrete block. The block was then used to break the glass in the front door and both entered the store.

Once inside, both men went behind the till area. The larger of the two suspects used what appears to be a duvet cover to fill with cigarette products, while the other male held it open. One of the suspects then went to the till and pulled it out of its holder, falling backwards as he did so. After a few minutes the men left, and ran across the forecourt towards the cul de sac. The Renault Megane appeared from the cul de sac a few minutes later where it is seen on CCTV driving through the town.

This time it drove in the opposite direction to its approach to the service station. It left Fermoy crossing the main bridge in the town which is the N72, and headed in the Tallow and Waterford direction.

Suspect Description:

Suspect 1:

Taller of the two – approx.6ft
Build – stockier of the two
White male
Wearing all dark clothing
Face covering and gloves.

Suspect 2:

Smaller of the two – approx. 5.8ft
Build - slimmer
White male
Wearing all black with hood up
Face covering and gloves.

Suspect Car:

Renault Megane
Saloon – (4) door
Possibly 2002 to 2008 registration
Dark colour – metallic

Garda Appeal:

Were you in Fermoy during the early hours of Tuesday January 14th 2025?
Did you see the suspects or the Renault Megane?
Do you know who currently owns or had possession of the Megane on January 14th?
Did you observe the car or suspects prior to or after the burglary?
Do you know the identity of these suspects?
Do you have any information that will assist with the investigation?

Fermoy Garda Station - Investigating - Tel: (025) 82100

Crime Prevention: Sheep Worrying and Advice to Dog Owners

On this month’s CrimeCall, Crime Prevention segment, Sergeant John Fitzpatrick provided information in relation to farm livestock / sheep worrying.

At this time of the year (Spring) many livestock farmers will be busy with lambing season, people who live and frequent our rural areas of the country need to be aware how sensitive this time of the year is for farmers and in particular their livestock.

Livestock/Sheep Worrying:

Livestock worrying is the phrase used when a dog may worry or attack livestock animals in rural, farmland areas and commonage areas. “Worry” in relation to livestock, means to attack or kill or to chase livestock in such a way as may reasonably be expected to cause the death of or injury or suffering to the livestock or to result in financial loss to the owner of the livestock.

This crime typically occurs in the countryside and is a particular problem when dogs, even those that are well trained, are not controlled by their owners or let off their leads roaming without an owner or person in charge of them. In doing so, dogs may enter land occupied by livestock and scare or attack livestock animals.

Even small dogs may chase a flock of sheep, although it may not be able to inflict bite wounds, simply chasing the sheep can cause huge distress and injury to sheep, who will run to escape. Being chased can cause stress to sheep and particularly impacts sheep in lamb.

The impact of worrying or an attack on livestock for our farming communities can have a devastating effect including financial losses to a farmer, as livestock may be fatally injured or additional time and money may have to be spent ensuring injured sheep that require veterinary care are looked after. Additionally, there is also the emotional impact and stress of seeing the loss, distress and injury caused to your animals from the perspective of the farmer and their family.

Whilst many dog owners may be unaware of the impact their dogs can have on livestock, it is their responsibility to ensure attacks and worrying occur. They should ensure that dogs are controlled on a lead when out walking so that the dog cannot worry or attack livestock.

Some examples of livestock worrying include:

A dog chasing livestock in a manner that could cause injury or suffering.
The stress caused to the animal by the presence of the dog, could, in the case of female livestock, cause miscarriage.
Livestock becoming desperate in their attempts to escape and injure themselves in doing so.
Dogs who chase ewes or lambs may cause them to separate from their mothers.

Under the Control of Dogs Act, 1986 the term “livestock” means cattle, sheep, swine, horses and all other equine animals, poultry, goats and deer not in the wild state. Dog owners should familiarise themselves with this act and furthermore be aware that it is an offence under Section 9 of the Control of Dogs Act - if your Dog is found to have worried or attacked livestock. The Dog owner or the person in charge of the Dog at the time may be liable to prosecution.

9.— (1) The owner or any other person in charge of a dog shall not permit the dog to be in any place other than—

(a) the premises of the owner, or

(b) the premises of such other person in charge of the dog, or

(c) the premises of any other person, with the consent of that person, unless such owner or such other person in charge of the dog accompanies it and keeps it under effectual control.

(2) If a dog worries livestock, the owner or any other person in charge of the dog shall be guilty of an offence unless it is established that at the material time the dog worried the livestock for the purpose of removing trespassing livestock and that having regard to all the circumstances the action was reasonable and necessary.

(3) A person who is guilty of an offence under subsection (2) of this section shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month, or, at the discretion of the court, to both such fine and such imprisonment.

Furthermore under Section 21 of the Control of Dogs Act, 1986 a dog owner may be liable for damages by a dog.

21.—(1) The owner of a dog shall be liable in damages for damage caused in an attack on any person by the dog and for injury done by it to any livestock; and it shall not be necessary for the person seeking such damages to show a previous mischievous propensity in the dog, or the owner's knowledge of such previous propensity, or to show that such injury or damage was attributable to neglect on the part of the owner.

(2) Where livestock are injured by a dog on land on to which they had strayed, and either the dog belonged to the occupier of the land or its presence on the land was authorised by the occupier, a person shall not be liable under this section in respect of injury done to the livestock, unless the person caused the dog to attack the livestock.

(3) A person is liable in damages for any damage caused by a dog kept on any premises or structure to a person trespassing thereon only in accordance with the rules of law relating to liability for negligence.

(4) (a) Any damage or injury for which a person is made liable under this section shall be deemed to be attributable to a wrong within the meaning of the Civil Liability Act, 1961, and the provisions of that Act shall apply accordingly.

(b) Sections 11 (2) (a) and 11 (2) (b) of the Statute of Limitations, 1957, shall apply to such damage.

Since 2020 proceedings have been brought against (81) dog owners (charged or summons) in relation to the offence of Dog Worrying Livestock.

There have also been over (80) attention and complaints incidents relating to livestock worrying in the past (5) years and over (120) dog offences incidents reported and related to livestock in that same period.

We can all enjoy the benefits of our beautiful countryside together and if you are in the countryside walking, or live in a rural area, please keep your dogs under control and be aware of the consequences. Most sheep kills are carried out by family pets, do not believe your dog won’t do it. If the conditions are right all dogs will chase sheep and as explained earlier it can have catastrophic outcomes.

We would ask people to be responsible, look out for each other and if you see someone acting irresponsibly notify the farmer and dial 999 or 112 if necessary.

Advice for Dog owners or those in charge of Dogs –

Any dog can worry livestock no matter how well trained.
Keep your Dog under control at all times.
Make sure you know where your dog is at all times.

Regularly check home and perimeter security
Be aware of the effects of worrying livestock.
Be respectful to your surroundings in the countryside.
If you witness an incident, please report it.

An Garda Síochána is committed to tackling rural crime and, in particular, livestock attacks and worrying.

The National Rural Safety Forum (NRSF) is co–chaired by Assistant Commissioner Hilman, An Garda Síochána and the Irish Farmers Association supported by the Department of Justice, the Department of Rural and Community Development, Muintir na Tíre, AgriKids, Irish Country Women’s Association and a range of State agencies and representative groups, who collaboratively work together to reduce crime and the fear of crime in our rural communities.

Cyber Message - Online Risks and Prevention advice.

This month’s segment included advice from Det. Sergeant Paul Johnstone, Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau who discussed online risks and prevention advice. The Crimecall team went on location and conducted an interview with a victim of online sharing of intimate images. Paul commended the victim for her strength in coming forward to report the crime to Gardaí and for sharing her story with the viewers of Crimecall, some of whom may be in a similar situation or be victims of online abuse. He discussed other types of online abuse and crimes and offered preventive advice.

Types of online abuse or crimes:

Frauds such as Phishing, Vishing or Smishing where a fake link is contained in an email, voicemail or a text message.
Missed delivery scams were you are asked to scan a code and provide bank or payment details.
Harassment where someone is abused directly or nasty comments are made about them within a group.
We recently celebrated Valentine’s Day and this traditionally sees the rise of Romance Scams where a potential partner contacts a victim over dating apps or Social Media and very quickly starts asking for money for a medical procedure or a business venture. But they never reveal much about themselves and never fully agree to meet.
Sexual abuse crimes online where victims willingly share intimate content with someone they trust, only to find the other person is not what they seem and demand payment to stop the images being shared.

Steps to prevent falling victim to these types of crimes:

Never click on links from unknown sources. Hover first to check where the link leads to.
When it comes to missed delivery notices, contact the delivery company if you have ordered something. Clearly if you can’t remember ordering something, you should just ignore it.
Romance scams - the red flag is when they start asking for money to put an end to the conversation. But first of all search for their photo online to see if it has been used or flagged elsewhere by someone else.
A great rule is to never share personal information or images online unless you know the other person. And if you are sharing, ask yourself would you put the content on a notice in the local shop. If the answer is no, then don’t put it online.

What should someone do if they are abused or harassed online?

First of all, stop all communications.
Don’t pay any money or cryptocurrency demands.
Block the other user and keep a copy of all of the conversations or chats, including details of the account they told you to pay into.
Report it to your local Garda station with details of the abuser’s profile and what happened.
Be able to give the Gardaí a copy of the chats or communications and crypto accounts involved.
We are there to help and we will do all we can to identify the offender and bring them before the courts where a crime has been committed.
So it’s essential that you report these crimes to your local Station early.

Missing Person - Katherine ‘Kathy’ Norris – Kilkenny City

Gardaí at Kilkenny Garda Station are seeking the public’s assisting in locating 67-year old Katherine ‘Kathy’ Norris. Kathy was reported missing from her home in Kilkenny City and was last seen walking in the vicinity of Stephen Street, Kilkenny on the morning of Tuesday February 4th at approximately 10am. Kathy’s family and friends are all very anxious to hear from her, as they just want to hear that she is safe and well.

Description:

Height 5ft 1
Build - Slight
Long white/ blond hair with a fringe
Wears glasses

Garda Appeal:

Did you see Kathy since February 4 after she was seen on Stephens Street?
Gardaí and Katherine's family are very concerned for her well-being and ask that if you can assist the investigation in any possible, that you please do so?

Kilkenny Garda Station-Investigating – Tel:(056)-7775000

Missing Person – Luke Price – Limerick City

Gardaí at Henry Street Garda Station together with Luke Price’s family appealed to the public to help trace and locate twenty-seven-year-old Luke Price, who was last seen on Tuesday 14th January 2025.

On the day in question, Luke travelled from Portlaoise to Colbert Train Station, Limerick city via Limerick Junction. He socialised in Limerick and then went to O’Curry Street with a friend. He left O’Curry Street at approximately 9pm and went in the direction of Dock Road, It is unknown where Luke went after Dock road and his current whereabouts is unknown.

A number of searches have taken place with the help of family members and volunteers, which have included the services of the Tipperary Search and Rescue, the R115 helicopter, Valentia Coastguard, Marine Rescue and Civil Defence and Gardaí.

Description:

27 year old male
Approximately 5’10”
Slight build
Brown shoulder length hair, the end of it is bleached blonde
Blue eyes.
When last seen he was wearing a black jacket, pink t-shirt with a purple design on front of it, dark coloured knitted jumper and black boots.
Luke wears glasses.

Garda Appeal

Take a look at the images of Luke, together with his description. Do you remember seeing or speaking to him either on Tuesday 14th or since?
Thomas’s family and Gardaí are anxious for your assistance to help advance the investigation and locate Thomas. If you think you can assist Thomas’s family and the investigation team, please do not to hesitate to get in touch. Let the investigation team asses whatever it is you have to offer?

Henry Street Garda Station - Investigating. Tel: 061-212400