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25 January 2021

Gardaí at Newbridge Garda Station are investigating an aggravated burglary that took place at a house in Pairc Mhuire between 17.15 and 17.30 on New Years Eve, 31 December 2020.

Aggravated Burglary at Pairc Mhuire, Newbridge, Kildare on the 31.12.20On the date in question at approximately 17:15 to 17:30 an elderly couple were in their sitting room when the doorbell rang. The owner of the house opened the door and noticed a male not known to him, standing at the front door, dressed in dark clothing and wearing what appeared to be a hat and mask. This male pushed past the injured party and went into the sitting room where the second injured party was.

Approximately four other males then entered the house through the front door, into the hallway and upstairs in the house.

The first suspect had what is described as a dark coloured baton. The injured party was threatened and hit him in the chest with the baton by the suspect who demanded all the money in the house. The injured party gave him what was in his pocket.

All the other suspects upstairs then came running down the stairs and left through the front door. The first suspect left the sitting room at this point and also left through the front door.

During the course of the burglary, an amount of cash was taken from an upstairs bedroom. An imitation firearm was also recovered at the scene by the Gardaí.

Description of Suspects

All suspects are reported to have worn dark clothing with their faces covered with only their eyes visible.
They were tall and had a fit build.
The suspect that remained in the sitting room spoke with a local Kildare accent and wore black “desert” type boots.

Appeal

Gardaí are appealing to anyone:

 Who may have been in the vicinity of Pairc Mhuire between the hours of approximately 17:00 and 18:00 on 31/12/2020 and noticed any unusual or suspicious behaviour by any persons or vehicles.

 Who has a dash cam on their vehicle who may have been in the area to check same or make them available to the Gardaí?

 Were there any suspicious callers to houses in the area that day or in the days or weeks prior to the incident?

 Who may have CCTV footage which cover the roads nearby Pairc Mhuire estate and have not yet been in contact with Gardaí?

 Who may have any information in relation to the incident?

Gardaí in Newbridge investigating - 045-440180

Gardaí in Drogheda Garda Station are investigating a cash in transit robbery that occurred at Ballsgrove Estate on 2 December 2020.

Cash in Transit Robbery at Ballsgrove, Louth on 2.12.20On the morning in question at approximately 9am two men were seen cycling around Ballsgrove Estate. The two men left their bikes in a laneway and split up, walking in different directions. Suspect 1 was seen walking to the pharmacy and then hunkering down tying his shoe lace. Suspect two stood outside the Health Centre, smoking.

At approximately 9.30am a Cash in Transit vehicle stopped outside a local shop to make a cash delivery. During the course of the delivery, the two suspects tried to grab the cashbox from the delivery driver but were disturbed by passers-by. The two suspects ran down the road towards the laneway, got onto their bikes and cycled back into Ballsgrove Estate passing the Holy Family Boxing Club.

Description of Suspects

Suspect 1

Male on a red and black mountain bike carrying a sports bag. He wore:

• Dark runners with white sole
• Wine/purple Tracksuit bottoms
• Plain black hoody with full length zip down the front with white strings from the hood (no logo)
• Carrying a black and grey sports gym bag (no logo)
• Possibly a black “overhead snood” under the hoody as opposed to a mask or scarf

Suspect 2

Male initially had a bike and was wearing:

• Grey runners
• Black Northface hoody with logo on the center chest area
• Navy Nike tracksuit bottoms.
• Possibly a black “overhead snood” under the hoody as opposed to a mask or scarf

Appeal

• Did you see the two suspects arriving to the Ballsgrove shops on bicycles, one of whom carried a sports bag?
• Prior to the robbery, the first suspect was seen loitering outside the Health Centre before crossing the road and sitting on a wall. The second suspect was observed around the front of Ballsgrove Shops. This second suspect has a distinctive walk when he paced the above area. Did you notice either suspect?
• Did you see the suspects running from the scene to the rear alleyway behind Ballsgrove Shops?
• The two suspects left the alleyway near the Holy Family Boxing Club on bicycles. Did you see where they went from here?
• Any persons with information or knowledge of this robbery can come forward and will be treated in sensitive manner.
It was a bright and sunny Wednesday morning and there were plenty of locals walking around and going about their daily business. Perhaps they saw these two individuals and have information they could provide to An Garda Síochána.

Gardaí at Drogheda investigating - 041 9874200

On this month’s Crimecall Chief Superintendent Declan Daly from the Garda National Protective Services Bureau discusses the increase in Domestic Abuse since the Covid-19 Pandemic commenced.

Chief Superintendent Daly will also discuss the following:

• Operation Faoiseamh which is a proactive protective measure which was launched with the aim of providing information, support and protection to victims by:

1. Communicating and Reassuring victims of abuse that An Garda Siochana was committed to addressing the issue of domestic abuse and that we would be taking a proactive approach to ‘Keeping People Safe’ during the lockdown period.

2. Increasing call backs to victims of domestic abuse which takes place within seven days of a domestic abuse incident.

3. Providing a second layer of proactive call backs to all victims of domestic abuse who had engaged with An Garda Siochana since the start of 2020. The purpose of this extra layer was to provide information, support and to identify risks to individual victims. The project aimed to use both Gardaí and Garda staff to ensure the best use of available resources during a time of increased demand. This measure also gave victims the opportunity to reach out and seek help.

4. Ensuring the protection of victims through the investigation and detection of all Domestic Violence Act Court orders. COVID-19 presented unprecedented risks to victims of domestic abuse.

• Coercive control, which is a persistent pattern of controlling and coercive behaviour, and has a serious impact on the health and welfare of the victim. Unfortunately the story provided in the introduction by the victim is a situation that is becoming more and more common.

- The typical perception of domestic crime is about violent actions, but it’s much more, domestic abuse is of course violence but it is also emotional, physical, financial, sexual or threatening behaviour.

- It is a cause of serious distress for those who suffer and which has an adverse effect on the victims day to day life.

- The offence applies to a spouse or a civil or intimate partner, irrespective of gender (Intimate partner does not have to mean being in a sexual relationship), and applies to current and previous partners

- Examples of behaviour:
o Monitoring
o Micromanaging victims actions or interactions
o Dictating who a victim can call, make contact with or socialise with
o Emotional and physical abuse
o Staking and harassment via social media, through technology or through surveillance
o Sexual abuse
o The offenders take over huge aspects of a victim’s life

- We appeal to any person who is a victim of domestic abuse and/or coercive control to make contact with An Garda Síochána and if they require urgent assistance or support, to please contact 112 or 999.

- We wish emphasis that, if someone engaging in the types of behaviours associated with coercive control are committing a crime and they will be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The recent prison sentence imposed for coercive control should be a flag raised for them to check their behaviour.

• Coercive Control came into law on the 01.01.2019 upon the enactment of Section 39 of the Domestic Violence Act 2018.

Statistics

1. 16% increase in domestic abuse incidents in 2020 from 2019.

2. Operation Faoiseamh 23,785 contacts and attempted contacts were made with victims of domestic abuse.

3. 24% increase charging of offenders for domestic abuse related crime in 2020. In 2020, 7645 charges for crimes involving an element of domestic abuse were preferred.

4. 17% increase in breaches of Domestic Abuse Court Orders, with 4323 orders notified to An Garda Síochán in 2020.

5. Criminal Charges preferred for breaches of DVA Order up 25% in 2020 to 4,036.

So what this tells us is that there has been an overall increase in Domestic Abuse calls for service in 2020 and An Garda Síochán have responded to that with an increase in prosecutions for coercive control, domestic violence and breaches of court orders.

On this month’s Crimecall Sergeant Graham Kavanagh Crime Prevention Officer discussed the decrease in the number of incidents of thefts from cars / vans in retail car parks due to the Covid-19 restrictions being in place and giving the criminals less opportunities to target cars.

Sergeant Kavanagh examined the statistics on when the incidents are occurring most frequently, how the criminals are gaining access to the vehicles and what is being taken.

Advice was given to viewers on safe parking including the following:

• Ensure your car is parked in a busy, well-lit secure area.
• Secure all doors, close all windows and ensure your car alarm is set
• Double check that all the doors of the vehicle are locked
• Ensure you take valuable property with you. Do not leave the property on view inside the car.
• Report all thefts from cars or suspicious activity to Gardaí and notify any car park attendants or security staff.

Sergeant Kavanagh also discussed Bank Jugging – this occurs when customers go into a bank, they are watched by persons who wait patiently for them to come out with a bank bag, coin box or bank envelope that looks like they may have a large amount of cash. They then follow the customer and break into their car or steal from the victim directly.

These types of crimes usually occur at the destination the victim stops at after leaving the bank, such as their home, shop or restaurant. When the customer attempts to leave their vehicle they become a victim and the cash is stolen.

Bank Juggers often park where they have clear visibility of the front door or the ATM. Bank Juggers will change parking spots if their visibility is obstructed.

Preventing Bank Jugging:

- Be aware of your surroundings, especially if something seems strange as you enter the bank.
- Conceal your bank deposit bags, coin boxes or envelopes as you enter and leave the bank.
- Take your bank bag or envelope with you into your next destination. Don’t hide it in your vehicle.
- Always vary your routes and times for cash drops and collections.
- Consider using electronic funds transfer rather than depositing or withdrawing cash.
- If you feel like you are being followed, call 999 and drive to a Garda station.

Always be aware of your surroundings and report anything suspicious to avoid getting “Jugged”.

	Evofit - robbery that took place at Enfield Leisure Park, Canal Road, Kildare on the 3.11.20Gardaí in Enfield Garda Station are investigating a robbery that took place at Enfield Leisure Park, Canal Road, Enfield at around 12 noon on 3rd November 2020.

During the course of this incident, the injured party was taking pictures when she was pushed onto the ground from behind by two men. She had her camera bag around her shoulder and the camera was around her neck. The two men managed to get the camera bag but failed to get her camera.

Description of Suspect

In addition to the evofit, the first suspect is described as follows:

- 30 years old
- Black / dark brown hair
- Slim build
- Lighter coloured blue / green eyes
- Very dark eyebrows which stood out making his eyes appear narrower looking
- Clear skin with reddish cheeks.

There is no evofit for the second suspect but he is described as follows:

- Red bomber jacket
- Baggy bootcut blue jeans
- Dark mustard hoodie and he wore the hood up

Gardaí at Enfield investigating - 046-9541002

Evofit - trespass at Kiladreenan, Wicklow on the 2.2.20Gardaí at Newtownmountkennedy, Co. Wicklow are investigating a case of trespassing that occurred at a private residence at Kiladreenan at approximately 6pm on December 2nd 2020.

During the course of this crime a suspect entered the injured party’s premises without permission and was approached by a family member. At this point the suspect quickly left the scene in a Pajero-type jeep that was waiting nearby.

Description of Suspect:

In addition to the Evofit the suspect is described as 5ft 10 in height with brown hair, stocky build, wearing dark jeans, and dark v-neck jumper with a black polo shirt underneath.

Gardaí at Newtownmountkennedy investigating - 01-2819222

Missing Person – Gheorghe VirvaraOn 28 December 2020, Gheorghe Virvara, aged 36 years, was reported by his wife as a missing person to Coolock Garda Station.

Gheorghe Virvara is a Romanian national but has been living in the Burnell Court area off the Malahide Road. He was last seen by his wife Alexandra, at Father Collins Park, Clongriffin, Dublin 13 on 27th December 2020. They went for a walk together at 4pm but left separately, with Gheorghe leaving on foot. Alexandra then received a telephone call from Gheorghe at approximately 6.39pm where he told her he was going to get a taxi home. He did not say where he was at that time. Gheorghe never returned home.

Extensive searches have taken place. The Irish Coast Guard has searched from Portmarnock to Red Rock in Sutton. Garda Air Support Unit have carried out searches in the Howth area.
Ground searches have been carried out by Garda Search team on the Howth Cliff walk.
All hospitals have been contacted and CCTV has been canvassed extensively of all public transport to and from the area.
There has also been a number of Press release and social media appeals carried out.

Gheorghe’s brother Laurentiu will be giving an interview via video link.

Gheorghe is described as being 36 years old, approximately 5 foot 9 inches tall and stocky build. He has bald hair and brown eyes. When last seen Gheorghe was wearing a black winter jacket, dark blue cotton trousers and blue Nike runners.

Appeal

• Gardaí would like to thank the public for their assistance to date. However, despite an extensive investigation both Gheorghe’s family and An Garda Síochána are still hoping that the public can provide information that can assist the investigation.
• Did anyone see Gheorghe after leaving Father Collins Park on the 27 December 2020.
• Did anyone see Gheorghe in Howth on the evening of the 27 December 2020 or since then?

Gardaí at Coolock investigating - 01-6664200

Gardaí in Raheny are investigating a robbery that occurred at An Post, Kilbarrack Shopping Centre on 27 July 2020.

Post Office Robbery at Kilbarrack Shopping Centre on 27.7.20 - locationOn the date in question at approximately 16.30, three suspects arrived on a silver Yamaha motor cycle registration 00-C-12051 to the Grange Park View entrance of the Kilbarrack Shopping Centre. Two of the men got off the motor cycle and ran into An Post located just inside the Kilbarrack Shopping Centre entrance. A customer who was in the Post Office at the time was grabbed by one of the suspects who then pointed a semi-automatic machine gun towards her. The other suspect started hitting the security screen to the post office with a lump hammer. The customer managed to move to the side of the Post Office. The two suspects then started demanding money from the Post Office staff.

After getting a significant amount of money, the two suspects left the Post Office and ran back out to the final suspect who was waiting on the motor cycle, and pointing a gun into the entrance of the building.

On exiting the building, all three suspects boarded the motorcycle and left, turning left in the direction of Kilbarrack Train Station.

Description of Suspects

Suspect 1

Suspect 1 was the driver of the motor cycle and carried a semi-automatic machine gun. He was approximately 6ft tall and was 20 – 30 years old. He was wearing a grey Nike hoody, a camouflage snood, a yellow and black AGV Helmet, navy Puma tracksuit bottoms and white with black and gold Nike Air270 runners.

	Post Office Robbery at Kilbarrack Shopping Centre on 27.7.20 - suspect 1Suspect 2

Suspect 2 carried a lump hammer into the Post Office. He was 20 – 30 years old. He was wearing navy Calvin Klein tracksuit bottoms, grey with white and orange Nike Air270 runners, a grey / green Puma hoody and was carrying a black Adidas backpack with white writing. He was wearing a grey snood.

Post Office Robbery at Kilbarrack Shopping Centre on 27.7.20 - suspect 2

Suspect 3

Suspect 3 stayed on the motor cycle and carried a hand gun. He was 20 – 30 years old. He was wearing a light grey hoody with the hood up underneath a black hoody, a black face mask and black with white Nike Air270 runners.

Post Office Robbery at Kilbarrack Shopping Centre on 27.7.20 suspect 3

Footwear

Post Office Robbery at Kilbarrack Shopping Centre on 27.7.20 - footwear

Appeal

• Did anyone witness this incident? Can you remember seeing three people on a motorcycle in the vicinity of Kilbarrack Shopping Centre between 4.15pm and 4.45pm on Monday 27th July 2020? Did anyone see a motorcycle with three people on it at this time in the vicinity of Donaghmede, Donahies, Malahide Road, Priorswood Road or Darndale area?

• The three suspects wore distinctive clothing and distinctive footwear

• This was a particularly traumatising event for the customer in the Post Office and I would appeal to anyone who may know who the culprits are or recognise any of the clothing worn by someone they know to contact us.

Gardaí at Raheny investigating - 01 6664300

On this month’s Crimecall Garda Adrian Corcoran joined us from the Roads Policing Unit with some traffic advice for all motorists in relation to the following:

Review of 2020 Road Deaths

During 2020, there were 148 fatalities on Irish roads which is up from 140 on 2019, an increase of 8 deaths.

· These figures are very disappointing, especially considering traffic volumes were reduced by as much as 70% in 2020 due to the Covid 19 pandemic.
· Passengers represent the biggest increase with 26 losing their lives in fatal collisions, up 70% on 2019 figures.
· Reminder to passengers, both front and rear seat to wear seat belts.

With rush hour traffic less than normal, we are urging drivers to be on the lookout for vulnerable road users, such as cyclists and pedestrians, whose numbers increased during lock downs.

· It’s up to everybody to ensure the roads are safer in 2021 and road deaths are reduced:

+ Slow down
+ Wear your Seat Belt
+ Never use a mobile phone while driving
+ Never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol

Clancy Amendment
• The Clancy Amendment was introduced in memory of Cork man Noel Clancy’s wife Geraldine and daughter Louise, who were killed in a collision with an unaccompanied learner driver.

• It was introduced in December 2018 and gave Gardaí the power to seize vehicles driven by unaccompanied learner drivers. The legislation also enables the prosecution of vehicle owners who allow their vehicles to be driven by unaccompanied learners.
Since December 2018

• 5,927 vehicles seized from unaccompanied drivers
• 18,017 FCN’s for driving unaccompanied
• Over 35,000 drivers-on fourth or subsequent learner permit
• 6,500 drivers- on eleventh or subsequent learner permit

Current Rules- L-Drivers

• Category B learner permit is NOT a full driving licence.
• Must have someone with a full driving licence
• Display L-plates on the front and rear of the car.
• Do not drive on a motorway.
• Do not draw a trailer.

Advice During Bad Weather

• There have been a number of cars stolen in recent weeks while people left the engine running to defrost the car while they returned to their house. If you are defrosting your car you should remain inside the car or use water or a defrosting agent.