Gardaí launch investigation into thefts of copper from telephone cables across the country

While the thefts have been reported nationwide, the majority have been concentrated in the Cavan, Monaghan Louth and Meath areas

The phone cables are being targeted for the copper inside them. Picture Garda Info

Gardaí have appealed to the public for information following a spate of incidents around the country in which thieves cut down telephone cables to steal the copper contained within them.

More than 66 incidents of telephone cables being cut have been reported to gardaí over the last six months, according to new figures.

The thefts have resulted in significant disruption to telephone and internet services to some 1,500 homes in affected areas.

Gardaí believe the cables are being solely for the copper inside, which has a high resale value as scrap metal.

Criminals will usually cut down the lines during the night and strip out the metal before discarding the black protective castings around them in secluded areas, which can be damaging to the environment.

Where exactly the stolen copper ends up is unclear.

Discarded phone cable castings. Picture: Garda Info

While the thefts have been reported nationwide, the majority have been concentrated around rural parts of Cavan, Monaghan Louth, and Meath.

Aside from placing a high financial cost to the company which provides the connections, most often Eir, the crimes are having a detrimental effect on older and vulnerable individuals living in affected communities, given that loss of phone service and the internet can cut off access to emergency services, medical alarm services, home security services and other supports.

It can take anything from three days to one week for new cables to be installed and services to be restored.

Gardaí have issued a public appeal for assistance and are asking people to be on the lookout for signs of this type of crime "An Garda Síochána wish to advise that works on telephone cables do not take place during the hours of darkness and that if the public notice activity on telephone cables at night they should treat this as unusual and make contact with their local Garda Station or call 999”, said Crime Prevention Office for Cavan/Monaghan Division, Sgt Michael Duffy.

The black castings are usually dumped in a secluded area, near where the theft of the copper occurs. Picture: Garda Info

Sgt Duffy urged any metal dealers or scrap yard owners approached to buy significant amounts of copper cable or copper in unusual circumstances to get in contact with gardaí immediately.

"The thieves are targeting the cables for the scrap value of the copper inside," he said.

"These cables are located over ground on telephone poles and following these thefts cable casings are often left behind.

"Where a member of the public observes discarded casings lying about they should make contact with their local garda station as this information could be beneficial to this investigation."

An incident room has been set up at Carrickmacross Garda Station and anyone with information can make contact with them on 042-9690190 or via their local Garda Station.