Here’s how we could deal with abandoned cars

THERE is an abandoned car on the street where I live. The car is in good condition — but its number plates have been removed. I have reported it to two Garda stations. They claim that without the number plates, they cannot contact the owner of the car. The car will be scrapped. Consequently, the owner will be forced to claim on the insurance and all our premiums will go up.

A car of mine was stolen several years ago. I would have been delighted to be told where my car was. I have to confess to being surprised that when somebody finds a stolen car without number plates and reports it to the Gardaí, that they do not have a system in place for attempting to contact the owner.

Compare this with the systems to deliver parking fines and speeding tickets. Imagine the goodwill that the Gardaí would generate if they reunited more owners with their cars. Is it any wonder people don’t bother to report crime?