Shannon and Ennis Gardaí appeal for witnesses amid spate of sophisticated car robberies

Ennis and Shannon Gardaí are appealing for the public's assistance regarding three incidents of criminal damage and theft from vehicles in recent days.

The first report received by An Garda Síochána was to Crusheen. In this instance, the owner parked their van, a white Renault Trafic, at 9:30pm on Tuesday, August 5. 

Gardaí confirmed the vehicle was parked up from Clarks shop along the roadside of the green area. This is where the picnic bench is located. The van was facing the direction of the fuel pumps.

Shortly later, the owner returned to the van just before 11pm and discovered that a hole had been drilled into the rear back door near the handle. It was discovered that a significant amount of tools were stolen from the van.

These included a top con laser level, Husqvarna con saw, Makita Kango and skill saw, Dewalt battery skill saw, Dewalt multitool, Dewalt saw, Dewalt impact gun, Dewalt jigsaw and gun, Dewalt T Stack radio, Dewalt batteries and a Stihl MS 180 chainsaw.

Gardaí believe that a grey coloured Volkswagen car parked to the rear of the van, boot to boot. They are appealing to anyone that may have observed this vehicle parked behind the white Renault Trafic van, if you did or if you drove through the forecourt and have a dashcam in your vehicle, please contact your local Garda Station or Crusheen Garda Station on 065 6827122.

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On the same night, Tuesday, August 5, a second vehicle was damaged on the grounds of the Woodstock Hotel along Shanaway Road. The driver parked their van, a white Ford Transit, at 6pm.

On Wednesday morning at 8am, they discovered that a hole had been drilled under the lock on the rear door of the van and a number of power tools had been taken. The stolen tools included a Dewalt impact gun, Dewalt consaw, Dewalt batteries, Stihl chainsaw, Stihl blower and a Dewalt Drill.

Also on Wednesday, August 6, Gardaí responded to a call at the Shannon Springs Hotel. The injured party reported that the night before, they had parked their work vehicle, a grey Ford Transit van, at 6pm in the car park of the hotel. 

The following day, the driver discovered the locks on the vehicle had been damaged and broken into. A number of tools were stolen, such as a Dewalt angle grinder, Dewalt impact drill, Dewalt handsaw, Dewalt 505 Drill and Dewalt batteries. 

If anyone has observed any of these crimes or if you were parked in any of these car parks and your vehicle has a dash camera, please contact Ennis Garda Station or Shannon Garda Station on 061 365900.

If you would like to remain anonymous, please contact the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.