Motor thefts in Kildare up 15% from last year despite nationwide decrease

Following a 12-year high for motor theft in 2024, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) Q2 2025 statistics revealed that 3,472 motor theft and related offences were reported from January to the end of June this year, a decrease of 13%. However, in Co. Kildare there were 178 thefts reported, an increase of 15% from the 155 incidents during the same period last year. 

While the most recent figures show a fall in motor theft across the country from last year, the figures are still significantly ahead, by 42%, of pre-pandemic levels when 2,439 offences were recorded in the same period in 2019. 

In the first half of 2025, the primary hotspots for motor theft incidents across Ireland are Dublin, Cork and Limerick. Dublin makes up a sizeable proportion with 1,723 vehicles stolen, followed by 337 in Cork and 215 in Limerick.  

Commenting on the latest motor theft statistics, OUTsurance Ireland CMO Ian Kennedy, said: “Following the record-breaking year that was 2024, it is reassuring to see such a significant reduction in the most recent motor theft figures. Protecting your vehicle only takes a few simple steps and these figures would indicate that more and more of the Irish public has been proactive in doing so. We encourage everyone to stay consistent in following these measures to ensure the safety of their vehicle, and hopefully we will see this trend continue into the second half of 2025.”    

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