Breakthrough as ‘Cat burglars’ targeting Kilkenny and neighbouring counties busted

Gardai have made a huge breakthrough in an ongoing crime blighting Kilkenny and neighbouring counties.

Yesterday Gardaí attached to the Dublin Metropolitan Region Divisional Crime Task Force seized 300 catalytic converters during a search operation in county Dublin.

The task force raided a business premises in St Margarets on the Northside of Dublin City. They were assisted by gardai from Ballymun station, Fingal County Council Staff, a Customs and Revenue Officer, and a dog handler.

During the course of the search, Gardaí seized 300 catalytic converters with an estimated value of €150,000. All were seized under Section 7 Criminal Justice Act 2006.

The search was conducted as part of the ongoing investigation into the theft of catalytic converters throughout the Dublin Metropolitan Region and subsequent regions including Kilkenny.

Gangs have been targeting cars with catalytic converters as they contain metals that are currently fetching high prices such as platinum,  palladium, rhodium, cerium, manganese, and nickel.

No one has been arrested in regards the find as yet and a garda spokesperson said: “Investigations are ongoing.”