Car owners are increasingly concerned about the growing number of catalytic converter thefts across Dublin.
The issue, which seems to particularly target hybrid cars, has seen several converters stolen from cars within a matter of minutes.
Dublin Live recently reported on a spate of thefts in a car park in South Dublin, while in north Dublin the chancer thieves have hit several seaside locations.
Local Fianna Fail TD Paul McAuliffe has said that "more attention" needs to be paid to the issue on a national scale, and he has now written to the Minister for Justice.
Deputy McAuliffe said: “I have had a number of representations from residents who have had the Catalytic Convertor stolen from their car while parked at home and elsewhere, park and ride facilities seem to be a particular target.
“The tempting part for the thieves is that the metal used in catalytic convertors is usually a precious one — palladium, rhodium, and platinum are most commonly used. These metals have a substantial value once extracted.
“Following concerns raised by many residents in the city, today I wrote to the Minister of Justice and Assistant Garda Commissioner to try and have the issue addressed.
"More attention needs to be paid to this growing issue."
A reply from a Parliamentary question raised by Deputy McAuliffe said: “Issues concerning the theft and handling of stolen property are matters for the Minister for Justice and Equality. Under the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001, maximum sentences of 10 years are provided for in the case of offences of theft and handling of stolen property; while maximum sentences of 5 years are provided for the offence of possession of stolen property.”
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