They are out to ruin somebody’s Christmas
Ballyvolane over the weekend(Image: SM)
Social media and community notice boards in Cork are lighting up – and it’s not with Christmas lights.
In areas including Ballyvolane, Knocknaheeny, Mayfield and Togher on the southside, doorbell and security cams are picking up late-night prowlers, checking out cars, vans and houses, likely looking for easy pickings in the run-up to Christmas.
There were several images caught and shared in the Ballyvolane area over the weekend, with concerned locals posting pics of young men trying cars, front doors and back gardens. It’s the season when expensive presents might be boxed up in car boots or sheds, and anybody who lets their guard down could see their Christmas ruined by thieves looking for an opportunity.
Just last week, a Cork Firefighter was lucky to get a car load of Christmas presents back – and his family car – after making a public appeal on the Neil Prendeville show on RedFM. Cobhman Sean Lawlor believes the appeal made the car and its contents too hot to handle for the thieves, it was found abandoned 20 minutes from his home.
There have been a rash of car thefts in Cork city in recent days, and thieves are breaking into homes at night to look for keys left on hallway tables or in obvious places.
Just yesterday, we talked to a lady in Douglas who had her family car stolen, as she appealed for help from the public in tracking it down. In a now famililar pattern, opportunistic thieves are going after cars that are used to ‘hop’ from one area to another, as they search for targets.
Any members of the public with information that could assist the investigation can contact Gardaí at any station or via the Garda Confidential Line on: 1800 666 111.