Met Eireann weather presenter Joanna Donnelly was left 'fuming' after "bastards" robbed a third bike from her family this year.
The RTE star took to Twitter on October 30 in a rage after another bike was stolen, this time at Howth junction train station. Joanna says this is the third time this year that her family has had bikes robbed, even though they were locked.
She wrote an angry message on Twitter after her trip to Howth saying: "Bastards bastards bastards another bike stolen. This time from howth junction train station. Two locks. 3 in one year!I
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Joanna shared a photo of the stolen bicycle and pleaded with her followers: "If someone tries to sell you a bike like this it is mine - or rather this kids. #bikecrime front wheel has conversion kit on it for electric. Battery is at home. Fuming here."
She reported the latest theft to An Gardai Siochana, however didn't have high hopes as she said she has heard "zero from them on the other two."
This is her third time dealing with bike theft this year. Back in August 2022, Joanna wrote on Twitter: “Never lost a bike in 40 years cycling in Dublin. Lost two this year. My son's bike was stolen from Portmarnock Train station this afternoon. It’s registered with bikeregister. If you see it. It’s mine. Yellow Giant. #stolenbike #cycling #bike .”
Joanna spoke to RSVP Live about her frustration over the situation, saying: "There’s a lot of victim blaming 'shouldn’t have left your bike there,' 'should use a better lock, 'more locks, tracking devices etc but the reality is you should be able to cycle safely and lock your bike and it be there when you return.
"The epidemic of stolen second hand bikes reaching the market needs a serious crackdown."
Last year around 7,000 bikes were reported stolen in Ireland, with 70 per cent of these thefts happening in Dublin.
Gardaí's crime prevention advice for cyclists include:
- Spend 10% to 20% of the value of your bike of two locks.
- Lock your bike tightly to an immovable object.
- Keep the lock off the ground.
- Take a photo of your bike, note the serial number and email it back to yourself so you have a record of it forever.
- Lock your bike indoors or in well-lit areas if possible.
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