Break-ins at car park in mountains

SEVEN CARS were broken into and had valuables stolen while the vehicles were parked at the Shay Elliott car park in the Wicklow Mountains.

All seven cars had windows smashed and items stolen on Saturday between the 11 a.m and midday..

The car park sits on a mountain pass between Laragh and Glenmalure and the area is particularly popular with walkers and hikers.

One Canadian woman, Julie Dyck, who is due to get married in Ireland, is appealing for the return of marriage documents stolen out of one car, including her passport and birth cert.

Brian Dunne, Manager of Wicklow Uplands Council, visited the scene after a fellow WUC member alerted him to the break-ins.

‘Unfortunately these sort of incidents seem to be on the rise,’ said Brian.

‘Obviously we are appalled. We would ask members of the public to report all vehicle break-ins to the Gardai so they are recorded, otherwise extra resources won’t be made available to tackle this problem. It also highlights the need for additional rural Gardai to tackle crime.’

Eight vehicles were parked in the Shay Elliott car park at the time of the break-ins and only one car remained untouched. That particular vehicle didn’t have any valuables on display.

‘People shouldn’t leave anything clearly visible in their car which might attract thieves’ advises Brian.

‘It’s also a good idea to leave your glove box open just to show it is empty. The lid of hatchbacks leading into the boot could also be left open to show there is nothing in the boot. Sadly there was a lot of damage caused to these vehicles and the matter was reported to the Gardaí.’

Walking groups using the uplands for outdoor pursuits have also started to leave one member behind in rurally located car parks to ensure the safety vehicles belonging to fellow walkers.