Catalytic converter warning for motorists

Photo: Garda crest.

Gardai in Athlone are appealing to the public to be on the alert to anyone acting suspiciously around parked cars in public areas or car parks.

The warning comes following several incidents recently where catalytic converters have been targeted for theft from vehicles.

What happens generally is that the perpetrator simply cuts the catalytic converter from the exhaust pipe of a parked car and sells them onto metal or scrap dealers. The converters often contain precious metals like platinum, rhodium and palladium, all of which are valuable, even in small quantities.

On the afternoon of June 10, at Dunne's car park, Irishtown, a member of the public saw a person using a saw on a parked car, he later challenged the person who fled the scene.

Following this, on June 18, two other cars had catalytic converters taken, the first at the Primary Care Unit car park, Clonbrusk, and the second from the car park in the Fairgreen.

The following day Gardai carried out a search of a house in Longford town where catalytic converters were recovered. A man in his 30s was subsequently arrested and later charged with attempted unauthorised interference with a car, and attempting to commit theft in relation to the Irishtown incident. He'll appear in court in Athlone in the near future.

Investigations are ongoing in relation to the other incidents.

Unfortunately, even if the converters are discovered they are not reusable, and it can cost a driver up to €1,000 to have the part replaced.

While there is little that can be done by motorists to prevent this kind of theft, gardai are appealing to people to come forward if they suspect cars are being interfered with so they can intercept or trace the culprits.

Anyone who notices anything out of the ordinary around parked cars should call 090 6498550 immediately.

According to the AA, catalytic converter theft has risen dramatically in recent years. An analysis of their insurance claims shows this type of crime has gone up from 32 in 2018 to 393 in 2019. It is believed that this is driven by the value of the metals inside the converter.