Thieves are taking advantage of the busy summer season

14:33, 31 Jul 2026Updated 14:35, 31 Jul 2026

Car thieves in the Maryborough Hill area (Image: Peter Horgan )

Communities across Cork have been warned to be on the lookout for car thieves ahead of the August Bank Holiday weekend. These busy summer periods make it easier for criminals to go about their business unnoticed, and valuables have already been stolen from vehicles across the county in recent weeks.

Thefts from parked vehicles have become increasingly common across Cork in recent years, with doorbell cameras often capturing thieves rummaging through unlocked cars late at night in search of cash, electronics and other valuables.

While the items stolen aren’t usually of great value, these criminals can hit dozens of cars in a single night, and the illicit profit can add up quickly. However, on rare occasions, they do manage to get their hands on something truly valuable, like workman’s tools or, as was seen in one particularly unlucky case, €5,000 in cash that had been accidentally left there overnight.

In recent days, Cllr Peter Horgan issued a fresh warning for residents in Rochestown after thieves were spotted combing through cars in the Maryborough Hill area. The Labour councillor urged residents to double-check that their cars had been locked and to ensure their windows are rolled up fully – an easy mistake to make at the end of a warm summer day.

He said: “Please be aware of would-be car thieves in the Maryborough Hill area. Make sure your car is locked, and your valuables are taken out.

“Especially in warm weather, make sure that your windows are closed in the evening. Any incidents should be reported to Gardaí directly”

Unfortunately, it’s not just late at night that owners need to be vigilant, as during the summer months, there’s a noticeable jump in thefts from vehicles at beaches and other outdoor activity areas.

According to Gardaí, 60% of thefts from vehicles at locations associated with outdoor activities occur during the summer months, with millions of euros worth of valuables being stolen from vehicles across Ireland every year.

The most likely time for thefts to occur is between 2 pm and 7 pm, and Gardaí have said catalytic converters, cash, electronics, jewellery, and tools are among the items most targeted by opportunistic thieves.

So whether you’re settling down for a quiet evening at home or heading out for a day at the beach, it’s always worth double-checking your car has been locked, as a few extra minutes can save you an awful lot of hassle later down the line.