Thieves in Offaly steal cars from driveways 'in two minutes'

Gardaí are investigating after a number of cars were stolen from outside houses in Edenderry.

Gardaí confirmed two cars were stolen on Wednesday night and the early hours of Thursday morning last week with one of the vehicles later recovered.

One of the victims of the theft took to social media having watched CCTV footage of his car being stolen off his driveway "in less than two minutes."

He said: "Last night at 4am, our car was stolen right from our driveway in the Carrick road area. It took the thieves less than two minutes to break into the car and drive it off per CCTV. At least four other cars were also stolen in town last night. They were driving a newer-model silver Toyota Prius. Insane!"

Gardaí confirmed they "are investigating the unauthorised taking of a vehicle outside a residential property in Edenderry, Co. Offaly shortly after 4am in the early hours of Thursday, April 17, 2025."

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They also confirmed a second theft of a car in the town on the same night, but this vehicle was recovered. They explained: "Gardaí are investigating the unauthorised taking of a vehicle outside a residential property in Edenderry, Co. Offaly overnight on Wednesday/Thursday, April 16/17, 2025.

"The vehicle was later recovered at a nearby location and removed for technical examination." They said in both cases that "investigations are ongoing."

There is speculation locally that thieves are using an antenna contraption from outside houses. The gizmo picks up the signal from the keys of the car to grant them access.

Other locals expressed fear and shock at the incidents with one person saying "it's scary what's going on" with another blasting the thieves as "scumbags with nothing better to do than cause misery."

Another added: "I think best deterrent are lights on movement sensors. They don't care about surveillance cameras anymore (if ever). It's frustrating, but in the end, cars are just metal and plastic. Stay safe!"