Local TD concerned at increase in catalytic converter thefts

Dublin North West TD Paul McAuliffe has drawn attention to concerns about the rising number of catalytic converter thefts in Dublin.

Fianna Fáil Deputy McAuliffe said he was raising the issue due to the amount of people who have contacted him regarding the problem.

“I have had a number of representations from residents who have had the catalytic converter stolen from their car while parked at home and elsewhere, park and ride facilities seem to be a particular target,” he said.

“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.”

The catalytic converter is a section of the exhaust where gases from the engine are passed over and through a metal (the catalyst in question) that breaks down some of the nastier pollutants within.

A reply from a Parliamentary question raised by Deputy McAuliffe on the issue stated:

“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.”

“More attention needs to be paid to this growing issue,” concluded McAuliffe.