Get a dog to guard your home oil tank

By TONY GALVIN PLACING a dog kennel alongside home heating oil tanks was one of the more practical tips offered as a means of combating the growing problem of thefts of fuel from homes and other premises around the county. The tip was offered by Clonbur Community Alert Secretary Margaret Kineavy when she gave a presentation to the Co Galway Joint Policing Committee at a meeting at County Hall.[private] The issue of the theft of heating oil was once again raised at the meeting, with a number of speakers stating that it was very disconcerting for people to feel their homes were being observed and monitored by thieves who, in many cases, appeared to know the movements and activities of the families they targeted. A suggestion was also made that consideration be given to placing fuel tanks inside new-builds in the future and that ways of moving tanks outside older houses indoors should be investigated. Cllr Michael Connolly stated that there were specialist gangs of oil thieves targeting homes and emptying fuel tanks almost at will. â€Å“I believe some of those involved are acting on information being provided by local sources. This is a very difficult crime to prevent or tackle and it is causing a lot of upset,â€Â he said. He added that he knew of one young couple who had their tank emptied on two occasions. Recently, they returned home from work to find €700 worth of heating oil stolen from their tank. This, he said, was a considerable loss for this couple and they had to replace the stolen fuel immediately, as they couldnâ€â„¢t go without heating during the winter. â€Å“Iâ€â„¢m convinced local information is being provided and this activity will become more widespread as word gets out that there are easy pickings to be had.â€Â His fellow Moylough Councillor, Kevin Ryan, told The Herald that these oil thefts were becoming all too common and it was creating suspicion in some communities, as people are beginning to ask how those involved know when homes are empty. â€Å“There is unease when homes are violated in this manner and a cloud of suspicion descends on an area. The practice needs to be highlighted and householders will have to become more security conscious. You wouldnâ€â„¢t leave an expensive piece of equipment lying around the garden but with oil tanks, thatâ€â„¢s almost whatâ€â„¢s happening,â€â„¢ he said. Insp Mick Oâ€â„¢Dwyer said that it was unfortunate that oil tanks were relatively easy to drill into, and not just plastic tanks but metal tanks as well. He advised that not only homes should review their security arrangements, but schools and community centres as well. Caging off tanks was one precaution, but they must be caged off fully with the top covered as well, as it is ineffective otherwise. He agreed with a hint provided by Clonbur Community Alert Secretary Margaret Kineavy: move the dog kennel close to the oil tank. [/private]