Over 4,000 cars were reported stolen in 2022
A warning's going out over a rise in the theft of second-hand imported cars.
Gardai have put out the alert as some have a lack of security features.
Over 4,000 cars were reported stolen in 2022, that's a jump of 52% on the figures for the previous year and a 17% increase on 2019.
This is driven by the theft of second-hand imported cars from outside the European market, which may be due to the lack of security features in the most commonly stolen ones.
For example many second-hand car imports don't have a fully fitted car alarm system or are without a fitted immobiliser. This makes them vulnerable to hot-wiring.
If the model has a keyless ignition it has proven possible to pick up a signal from the key fob from within the house where it's parked.

Further Increase Expected In Number Of Landlords Leaving Property Market, As Price Of Three-Bed Semi Rises In Kildare
Over 1,700 Garda Checkpoints In Operation Over Christmas Period, With Naas RPU Detecting Multiple Speeding Motorists
€1.2m Approved For Zipline And High Ropes Adventure Centre At Donadea
Christmas Appeal To Adopt Dogs As Euthanasia Figures Rise
Speed Enforcement To Increase In Kildare With 21 New Camera Zones To Be Rolled Out In January
Over 400 Motorists Caught Speeding So Far Today, Including A Driver In Kilcock
Transport Minister In Discussions With Irish Rail About Extending Late-Night Trains Beyond Christmas
Tadhg And Mary Should Be Looking Forward To Christmas, Say Gardai As Fresh Appeal Launched