A Cork councillor has warned that an organised gang is using key hacking to steal cars from homes in North Cork, following a rise in theft reports.
Councillor Peter O'Donoghue, a Fermoy representative, said a "professional" criminal group is targeting family homes, often focusing on rural or isolated properties. The gang prowls outside properties night after night, according to CorkBeo.
Keyless car theft technique
Speaking to CorkBeo, Cllr O'Donoghue said he has spoken to mechanics about the issue and believes the criminals are carrying out keyless car thefts, also known as key hacking. This method lets thieves access and start vehicles without forcing entry.
The technique involves devices that detect signals from keyless entry systems, such as car fobs. These fobs have become more prominent in Ireland in recent years, allowing owners to unlock doors and start a vehicle when within range. Normally, such systems require the fob to be close to the car, but if the signal's range is extended, a car can be opened even if the fob is inside the home. Thieves use devices that pick up signals from fobs through windows and closed doors and boost them to trick a car in a driveway into unlocking and starting.
Recent thefts and a frightening incident
Cllr O'Donoghue said there have been a number of thefts in the Watergrasshill and Mitchelstown areas recently, which he believes were carried out using key hacking. He shared a story of a mother who saw a man peering through her window late at night but initially thought she was imagining it.
He said: "She was up late at night, and she thought she saw a face in the window. She got a fright of course, but thought she was imagining it. She told her husband and later they checked CCTV and saw there was a very tall man looking in through the window."
"He was there six nights at least, but that was only as far back as CCTV went. He was very interested in the car, was very professional, wasn't nervous or anything. At one stage the lady went out the door, and he was within four feet of her."
Cllr O'Donoghue told CorkBeo that the man seemed to be holding a device up against the window, as if trying to get the car fob's signal and key hack the family's vehicle.
Garda response and wider issue
Cllr O'Donoghue said he has raised the recent thefts with the Garda Chief Superintendent in Co. Cork, and officers are investigating reports. The wider Watergrasshill area had similar issues with what appeared to be another organised gang earlier this year, caught on CCTV jumping garden walls, trying to open vehicles, and rummaging around unlocked cars. The issues led Gardaí to organise a special meeting for local communities to spread awareness and listen to concerns.
North Cork is not the only area affected, as stolen vehicles have also been reported in Cork city, Carrigaline, Kinsale, and more, as prowlers lurk while nights get longer.
Advice for homeowners
Cork homeowners are being urged to take basic steps to secure their vehicles before sleeping, including ensuring both front door and vehicle are locked and reporting any suspicious activity to Gardaí. Gardaí have also outlined cheap and easy ways to protect cars even with a key fob, such as storing keys in a signal-blocking Faraday pouch, keeping keys away from doors and windows, always locking the vehicle, parking in well-lit areas, keeping software up to date, and avoiding leaving spare keys in or near the vehicle.
A Faraday pouch, which blocks the signal from keys to prevent thieves from boosting it, can be purchased from motor accessory shops, electronics retailers, and online, often for under €20. Spare keys should also be kept in the pouch.
