Thieves turn to targeting exhausts

Midland gardaí are warning motorists to be vigilant for metal thieves who have turned their attention to vehicle exhaust systems.

Gardaí in Birr, Co Offaly, appealed for information following the thefts of catalytic converters from four vehicles in the town in one night. It is believed they were stolen because they contain small amounts of precious metals such as platinum, palladium, or rhodium.

The thieves cut the converters, which are thought to be worth about €150 in scrap, from the vehicles, leaving owners with large repair bills.