Company fights back against ‘rampant rural crime’ by marking Limerick crooks' cards

A COMPANY “fighting back against rampant rural crime” was awarded  the Best Social Enterprise of the Year Award at the All-Ireland Community and Council Awards.

Property Marking Ireland (PMI) marks property like tools, equipment and machinery with the owner’s Eircode to deter theft, reunite owners with their stolen property and increase convictions through liaising with gardai and their PULSE system.

James O’Neill, PMI CEO, said Limerick City and County Council and, in particular, Denise Scanlon and Aisling Walsh, have been instrumental in making this happen through council funding. He also thanked Minister of State Kieran O’Donnell.

Mr O'Neill  said social enterprises are organisations whose mission is to have a positive effect on society – in this case to reduce property theft and reduce the fear, cost and inconvenience of these kinds of crimes.  

“The award recognises PMI as a social enterprise that develops solutions to this  pressing social issue,” said Mr O’Neill.

PMI began their service in rural areas, “fighting back against rampant rural crime” and helping those in remote areas feel safe in their homes and on their farms, he said.

“With the support of Rethink Ireland and many of the local authorities, local community organisations like the GAA, IFA and Men’s Sheds, over one million items have been marked,” said Mr O’Neill.

He said close cooperation with gardaí means any stolen items are recorded on the Garda Pulse system noting the Eircode, allowing the property to be reunited with its owners and providing incontrovertible proof of possession of stolen goods – all leading to convictions in the short term and reducing overall crime in the longer term.

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“This close relationship means PMI is allowed exclusive use of the garda logo on signage that can be positioned outside farms, and on roads in the local areas and now also on building sites and vans owned by those in the construction sector and the trades who use their service to protect their tools and equipment,” said Mr O’Neill.

The CEO said  they are thrilled to have been awarded this recognition. 

“I would particularly like to acknowledge the valued input from Minister of State Kieran O’Donnell who has been supportive of  our community-led crime prevention  programme since we launched in Limerick five years ago.”