THE THEFT of scrap metals has hit “epidemic” levels in the midlands, a meeting of councillors and senior gardaí was told yesterday.
Speaking at a joint policing meeting of Offaly County Council in Tullamore yesterday, council chairman Danny Owens (FF) said his own gate had been stolen in the recent crime wave.
“There’s an epidemic of robbers of copper and any form of metal that is taking place throughout the county at the moment,” he said.
Garda Chief Supt Frank Moore of the Laois-Offaly division told the meeting there had been an increase in the theft of copper pipes, cylinders and radiators from homes and clubs.
Describing it as an “awful crime”, Chief Supt Moore said he was aware of people returning home from a weekend away only to discover their copper piping, cylinders and radiators had been stolen.
Unoccupied homes, derelict buildings and unfinished housing estates were all being targeted by the thieves, he said.
Two weeks ago the premises of Clareen and Kinnitty GAA clubs were badly damaged by burglars who forcibly entered the clubs and stole copper piping and cylinders.
“A lot of GAA clubs are being hit,” Cllr John Leahy (Ind) commented. “They are probably getting cash for this so there is no traceability on it.”
Gardaí have had some success in tackling the problem in recent weeks, Supt John Moloney said, “it’s high on our agenda.”
Supt Moloney said the thieves were targeting “anything to do with metal at the moment, beer barrels, iron”.
Kinnitty based publican, Cllr Percy Clendennen (FG) said there was a “huge problem” with thieves targeting beer deliveries in his area.
Beer kegs are being delivered and “robbed before the publican gets to clear his yard,” he remarked. Mr Clendennen said he was aware of one keg delivery which arrived at 8.50am and was stolen by 8.55am.
Supt Moloney described the culprits as opportunistic “sneak thieves” who he believes are regularly on the move.
Both Supt Moloney and Chief Supt Moore admitted the metals were difficult to trace. The metals can be transported and sold at any number of scrap metal dealers around the country with a copper cylinder fetching about €100, the gathering was told. Supt Moloney said gardaí manning checkpoints are targeting vehicles transporting metals.
“Something drastic needs to happen to get a grip on this,” said Mr Owens, “I know of one incident where somebody knew there was somebody in a disused house but they were afraid to go there. It is worrying, and a lot of people out there in clubs and households are worried.”
Gardaí believe the high price of metal has led to the recent crime wave. Last month two bronze statues were stolen from the roadside in Westmeath and Kildare. The two one-tonne pieces of public art, valued at about €100,000, are thought to have been stolen for their scrap metal value.