Marauding thieves target cars in West Kerry tourist spots

WEST Kerry tourist spots have been targeted throughout the summer by marauding thieves who tour the area looking for vulnerable cars and buses that can be easily broken into. However, contrary to local rumour, the criminals are not using helicopter drones to spy on isolated farmhouses and holiday homes before attempting a break-in.

Dingle Gardaí confirmed that there have been about 12 break-ins to vehicles since last October in an area stretching from Castlegregory to Dún Chaoin. One group is suspected of being involved in many of the thefts, which generally happen in the afternoon when the thieves target unattended vehicles in scenic spots and other tourist areas.

The Slea Head/ Dún Chaoin area appears to have been a particular target with six of the break-ins to vehicles taking place there.

“They’re blatant enough; they’ll try a car door to check whether it’s locked and if they can gain access they’ll grab what they can and then they’re gone,” a Garda spokesperson said.

In one of a number of recent incidents, a camper van was broken into at Dún Chaoin pier. Gardaí have arrested two suspects in relation to this incident and prosecutions are pending.

Gardaí said that, in some instances, cars that were broken into had been left unlocked and they advise people parking cars in quiet area to ensure they are properly locked and no money, handbags, cameras or other valuables are visible.

Meanwhile, Dingle Gardaí have discounted rumours that criminals are now using radio controlled helicopter drones to spy on isolated homes in an effort to identify soft targets. Gardaí believe these rumours may have arisen after a drone was seen recently flying around a farmhouse in the Feothanach area. However, that particular drone was being used entirely legitimately to film part of a television documentary