New marker in Laois aims to deter thieves and help gardaí

A new initiative has been launched in Laois to deter thieves and help Gardai in the recovery of stolen property. 

Laois PPN says it is delighted to announce the launch of the Property Marker for community groups in Laois. 

The PPN says the Property Marker is a crime prevention initiative that provides a unique identifier on property that acts as a theft deterrent and assists Gardai in the recovery of stolen property. 

Laois PPN will make the Property Marker available to Community Groups in towns and villages across Laois over the coming months. 

Laois PPN wish to acknowledge the support of the LCDC, Laois County Council and the Department of Rural and Community Development. Laois PPN was successful in securing funding for the Property Marker through the Community Support Fund 2022 under the Community Enhancement Programme 2022.

The launch was attended by John Mulholland Chief Executive of Laois County Council, Chief Superintendent Anthony Lonergan, LCDC Chairperson Joe Thompson and Paddy Buggy Chairperson of Laois PPN Secretariat. 

Chief Superintendent Lonergan is backing the project.

“An Garda Síochána supports property marking as a very valuable crime prevention initiative. Every day we recover property and make every effort to find their rightful owner.

"Property marking acts as a deterrent to the criminal to steal the item in the first place. If property is stolen, Property Marking increases the chances of the items being recovered, returned to its owner and speeds up the process of prosecuting those involved.

"We would encourage the use of the Garda Property app, which is available to download on the Apple and Google Play Stores. The App allows you to make a digital inventory of valuable property around the home or business," he said.

The Crime Prevention Officer Laois Offaly Sergeant Graham Kavanagh also endorsed the move.

“That property marking is now available in nearly every county in Ireland and since its commencement a number of years ago it has proven itself as an effective crime prevention initiative. It works with communities, Local Authorities and Gardaí working together as we have done here in Laois. Thank you to Laois PPN’s Dan Bergin and Mr James O’Neill Property Marking Ireland for their help,” he said.

Paddy Buggy, Chair of Laois PPN Secretariat said the Laois PPN Secretariat is delighted to partner in new crime prevention initiative. 

"This device will be rolled out to support Community Groups across the County over the coming months. This device will place an identification marker on property which will deter criminals from stealing it, identify it as stolen property to potential buyers and help An Garda Siochana to return goods to their rightful owners.

"I welcome this initiative which will help in the reduction of crime which is causing both financial and mental stress to the many victims of crime in our communities,” he said.

Laois PPN hopes this initiative helps all our local Communities when dealing with Crime Prevention in their localities. 

The launch was also attended by Suzanne O’Connor Laois County Council, Joe Thompson Chairperson LCDC, Garda Arran Grehan, Dan Bergin Laois PPN Co-Ordinator, Anne Marie Kirrane Laois County Council.