Warning about thieves stealing catalytic converters from under parked cars

Gardaí have issued a general warning asking motorists to be vigilant following a spate of thefts of lucrative catalytic converters from underneath cars.

A catalytic converter - located near the rear wheels - is an exhaust emission control device that converts toxic gases and pollutants in exhaust gas  from an internal combustion engine into less-toxic pollutants by catalyzing.

But it contains precious metals which can be sold off for cash.

In Naas on January 8 last, a catalytic converter was stolen from a vehicle parked off the Newbridge Road between 8am and 4.30pm.

A lady returned to her 2004 Honda Civic, only to discover that it was not working properly and after bringing it to a garage, she was informed that the catalytic converter had been removed.

The UK has also seen a spate of similar thefts and BMW, Audis and VWs and Honda vehicles are being targeted in particular as well as SUVs as they are high off the ground and thieves have room to clamber underneath.

Gardai said thieves are cashing in on lucrative prices for metals such as rhodium, palladium and platinum in the car parts.

The metals can be recycled for use in jewellery, dentistry and electronics.

Rhodium can command prices of up to €2,000 an ounce, twice the value of gold.

Palladium and platinum trade at 70% to 80% the value of gold.