Car Break Ins in Phoenix Park

tHE vAGGABOND

Just passing on info that a whole bunch of folks from the club are reporting car break in's are various places in the Phoenix Park over the last few weeks.

So if your driving to the park, dont leave *anything* in your car, or think of somewhere clever to park

chinguetti

Was in the Park yesterday afternoon and it was very noticeable that the Garda and OPW were around the place. Hopefully they will catch whoever is doing this as i've been broken into before in the War Memorial Gardens and i would strongly recommend not parkign there either.

statss

Usually park outside Garda HQ, never had any hassle.

Ososlo

tHE vAGGABOND wrote: »

Just passing on info that a whole bunch of folks from the club are reporting car break in's are various places in the Phoenix Park over the last few weeks.

So if your driving to the park, dont leave *anything* in your car, or think of somewhere clever to park

thanks for the warning. I'm always wary... I usually park on Chesterfield Avenue around the zoo. Would you consider this a "clever" place? If it's dark when I'm finished I'd rather be somewhere where there's lots of traffic and activity.
Or what about at the car park at the Hole in the Wall pub? Usually lots of space there but I do feel guilty sometimes if I'm not giving them custom:o (and using their bathroom facilities):o:o

neveragain1985

Hi all

I just joined Boards to post my experience on this issue.

I am from Sligo and myself and my partner and my 2 year old son went to Dublin Zoo last Tuesday 21st July for my sons birthday.

It was extremely busy and the Zoo car park was full.

I parked in car park behind Citadel pond (Phoenix Park running club) across the road from the zoo at approximately 11:30 am. I was well aware of the recent break ins into cars so I left nothing of real value in the car, and nothing of value in plain sight. I locked the car with the key fob, and even checked the cars handles to make double sure it was locked.

We left the car park and had a great time at the zoo.

I couldn't actually believe that upon returning to the car at approximately 3:30pm we found that the car was unlocked and various car manuals, and ipod from the glove box and other paper items and my driving licence were placed underneath the passenger seat....??

2 pairs of cheap sunglasses, some loose change, maybe €3 or €4, and ipod charger and a multipack of hunky dorys crisps was stolen (strange how the actual ipod was not stolen)

My partner and I felt very uneasy as we knew someone was in the car, maybe not long before we arrived. We did not see anyone suspicious in the area, before we left or upon arriving after the zoo. There was a cricket match going on at the time we parked, so even if they did see someone odd, it wouldn't have looked suspicious as they were far away.

I feel sorry for others here who have other items stolen worth far more.

But it's pretty obvious these Hunky Dory lovin scumbags will just break into any car, regardless of not leaving anything of value in plain sight. And i got the feeling other cars nearby also got broken into

My biggest question is how the hell did they manage to unlock the car? No windows smashed, no handles broken off.

An why are the guards not doing anything? according to this thread, this has been going on years?

Firedance

Yeah unfortunately I had my car broken into before in the visitors centre car park, likewise nothing of value in view or indeed in the car so just the inconvenience of having to get my smashed window replaced. I only park on Chesterfield Ave now beside the Castleknock gate which is always pretty busy but it seems now they'll target any car in any location?

average_runner

neveragain1985 wrote: »

Hi all

I just joined Boards to post my experience on this issue.

I am from Sligo and myself and my partner and my 2 year old son went to Dublin Zoo last Tuesday 21st July for my sons birthday.

It was extremely busy and the Zoo car park was full.

I parked in car park behind Citadel pond (Phoenix Park running club) across the road from the zoo at approximately 11:30 am. I was well aware of the recent break ins into cars so I left nothing of real value in the car, and nothing of value in plain sight. I locked the car with the key fob, and even checked the cars handles to make double sure it was locked.

We left the car park and had a great time at the zoo.

I couldn't actually believe that upon returning to the car at approximately 3:30pm we found that the car was unlocked and various car manuals, and ipod from the glove box and other paper items and my driving licence were placed underneath the passenger seat....??

2 pairs of cheap sunglasses, some loose change, maybe €3 or €4, and ipod charger and a multipack of hunky dorys crisps was stolen (strange how the actual ipod was not stolen)

My partner and I felt very uneasy as we knew someone was in the car, maybe not long before we arrived. We did not see anyone suspicious in the area, before we left or upon arriving after the zoo. There was a cricket match going on at the time we parked, so even if they did see someone odd, it wouldn't have looked suspicious as they were far away.

I feel sorry for others here who have other items stolen worth far more.

But it's pretty obvious these Hunky Dory lovin scumbags will just break into any car, regardless of not leaving anything of value in plain sight. And i got the feeling other cars nearby also got broken into

My biggest question is how the hell did they manage to unlock the car? No windows smashed, no handles broken off.

An why are the guards not doing anything? according to this thread, this has been going on years?

The gardai don't have the man power to cover the whole park, maybe OPW should do more patrols but if someone wants to break into a car they will do it.

neveragain1985

I actually did see OPW patrolling as soon as i entered the car park, so they are around.

But the fact is i suppose realistically, they cannot be everywhere. And as soon as they have left an area to patrol somewhere else these f*****s will strike.

Whats needed are CCTV or OPW who don't leave their posts in each car park (but that will never happen i know)

RacoonQueen

Like any public car park the OPW will say it's not their responsibility, much akin to parking at your gym - though mine now has a security guard to combat the scoundrels!

Luckily, never happened to me - always make sure to put anything I want to hide away before I even get into the car so I'm not faffing about when I get there in case anyone is watching.

ultraman1

neveragain1985 wrote: »

My biggest question is how the hell did they manage to unlock the car? No windows smashed, no handles broken off.
?

Check for a small hole beside any of the handle/locks in ur door,,,basically they break into ur car,leave no obvious sign of a break in,so wen u return ur not suspicious and may just think u left ur door unlocked,they check ur Sat nav,look up ur favourites and ring their mate who drives up and breaks into ur gaf...Or they block ther adio signal from ur key fob as u walk away and lock ur car

glacial_pace71

ultraman1 wrote: »

Check for a small hole beside any of the handle/locks in ur door,,,basically they break into ur car,leave no obvious sign of a break in,so wen u return ur not suspicious and may just think u left ur door unlocked,they check ur Sat nav,look up ur favourites and ring their mate who drives up and breaks into ur gaf...Or they block ther adio signal from ur key fob as u walk away and lock ur car

If your car is a few years older then check the rubber lining on the upper part of the windows. In the old days there'd be enough to splice with a blade then force a coat-hanger wire through the gap. For more modern cars it's not an issue but, as Ultraman says, they can now block the signal from a keyfob. Have a good look to give yourself peace of mind.

hmmm

neveragain1985 wrote: »

My biggest question is how the hell did they manage to unlock the car? No windows smashed, no handles broken off.

If you have a French car I believe they often run a blade between the door and the wing to short circuit the central locking. We were broken into and didn't realise for a while - as a suggestion leave nothing valuable in your car, if people stopped leaving stuff in their cars there would be no incentive to do this.

Murph_D

The OP lost a bag of crisps, some loose change and a charger. No damage to car. What's the big deal exactly?

Burgman

neveragain1985 wrote: »

2 pairs of cheap sunglasses, some loose change, maybe €3 or €4, and ipod charger and a multipack of hunky dorys crisps was stolen (strange how the actual ipod was not stolen)

An why are the guards not doing anything? according to this thread, this has been going on years?

As a matter of interest: Did you report this to the garda yourself? (Because if you didn't, it doesn't get added to the statistics and nothing will be done. And yes, I am aware that the official statistics are completely incorrect but that shouldn't stop you reporting the matter.)

JMSE

My car too, only a few weeks ago. They are defo doing this electronically in that theres no damage done to the car, they block the signal as you press the button on the fob. Today I locked with the key and held it up in the air to give the phuckers the 2 fingers they deserve. I suppose that just makes me look nuts to 99.999999% of anyone who sees me.

ArtieFufkin

Another word of caution is not to park near the traffic island/strange junction near Garda headquarters that leads to the infirmary road exit. I see broken window glass there on an almost daily basis. Not really surprising as it is very near O'Deveny Gardens.