Thieves strike to steal defrosting cars in driveways

MOTORISTS have been strongly advised not to leave their cars running unattended in their driveways ‘to warm up’ on those Arctic mornings, following the theft of two cars in the Oranmore and Galway city areas this week.

The first incident occurred at the Oranhill estate on the Maree Road in Oranmore, on Tuesday at 5.30am, as a man getting ready for work started his car outside his house.

Some minutes later when he went to leave, the car had been stolen and hasn’t been seen since. Gardai at Galway Garda Station have appealed for information on the grey Audi A4 vehicle, registration number 07 G 11852.

A similar theft was reported to Gardai in the Headford Road area of the city in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

A woman who was getting ready for work had also left her car running outside her residence at Cluain Riocaird estate – when she went to leave, the car was gone. Her car was a black VW Golf, registration number 04 G 4100.

This week, a Garda spokesman strongly advised people ‘as a matter of habit’ not to leave their cars running outside their houses unattended, and especially in estates or built-up areas.

“This is a mean and despicable type of theft with criminals making the most of the bad weather conditions to carry out an opportunist crime.

“Of course, we strongly advise motorists to ensure that all glass areas of cars are fully demisted in the current conditions of frost and ice, but tempting as it might be, they shouldn’t leave their cars running outside their homes, unless they’re sitting in the driver’s seat,” a Garda spokesman told the Connacht Tribune.

See full story in this week's Connacht Tribune.