The Irish Independent has reported that a bike or car theft happens every three hours in Dublin city centre, according to figures obtained by the newspaper.

The newspaper says that gardaí are up against several “out-of-control” teen robbery gangs, with one youth, recently released from Oberstown detention centre suspected of stealing up to 20 vehicles within a week of his getting back on the streets.

Hooded gangs

The hooded gangs are also posting the thefts on social media.

The newspaper has obtained figures showing that, in the first eight weeks of this year, more than 450 cars and bikes were stolen in Dublin – a 20% hike in the theft rate.

One young offender from Dublin12 is responsible for 20 bike and car thefts a week, gardai believe.

A separate gang is stealing high-value vehicles on Dublin’s southside.

The Garda Representative Association (GRA) has said that inadequate driver training and an ambiguous policy on pursuits makes it difficult for gardaí to chase suspects.

'Impossible position'

GRA delegate Mark Ferris said: “Our members are being placed in an impossible position where they are duty-bound to respond, the public expects them to respond, yet members feel they are constantly in jeopardy of discipline or indeed prosecution.

“We continue to see offenders act completely recklessly, exploiting inadequacies in the capacity of our members ability to respond to criminals using the road network. None of this is happening by accident

“The training deficit needs to be made up, quickly, if disaffection in the ranks is to be stopped and reversed,” Ferris told the Irish independent.