THIS is the brazen thief who’s wanted by Gardai for a series of beer keg thefts across Ireland.
Our exclusive image shows the hood stealing kegs from a pub in Co Cavan last month.
Investigators believe the suspect was part of a gang who used a white Ford Transit and a Volkswagen Passat during the raid.
Although two men were later arrested by detectives, they were later released pending a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Gardai believe the kegs are being stolen before being stripped and sold in the stolen metal trade.
But there are also fears they are selling ten kegs to bar owners at a time for €400.
A west Dublin crime gang are chief suspects in the raids.
One source told us: “The theft of beer kegs is a big thing at the moment.
“The thieves are mainly targeting rural bars and people can lose lots of money from this and also increased premiums.
“It’s just another way for criminals to make money alongside the other criminal enterprises they are involved in.
“Gardai are working closely with the industry on this matter and are doing everything to apprehend those involved.”
Last month’s incident comes after two separate pubs in Drogheda were also targeted on the same night in April.
On that occasion, the hoods also used a white transit van fitted with false plates.
So far this year, the thieves have also struck nine times in Co Meath, including Slane, Athboy, Ashbourne, Laytown and Duleek.
In one of the biggest beer keg heists, eleven kegs were stolen from a Culletons pub in the Whitemill area of Wexford town.
Thefts concerns
The Vintners Federation of Ireland has previously voiced concern about the thefts.
Spokesperson Brian Foley said: “Given the high value of kegs, we always remind publicans to keep stock in a secure well-lit area with adequate surveillance.
“We also ask publicans and their staff to be on the lookout for any suspicious activities or unfamiliar vans seen in the vicinity of their pubs.
“Reporting such observations to the local Gardai can help prevent further incidents and protect livelihoods.”
Car targets
And as Gardai continue to hunt the keg thieves, officers are also concerned about the ongoing thefts of catalytic converters in different parts of the country.
The items – which are the emission control devices attached to the exhaust on the underbody of a vehicle – are worth between €300 and €1,000
In the most recent incident in Castlebar, Co Mayo, in July, two suspects stole 200 converters worth €25,000.
On that occasion, they broke into a yard and disabled the CCTV system.
Illegal profits aim
And in one of the most daring raids this year, the hoods broke into an engineering plant and also cut CCTV wires before stealing €80,000 worth of converters and copper wire.
A Garda spokesperson said: “Where organised crime gangs are involved, the illegal profits gained are substantial.
“Gardai in cooperation with local authorities and other agencies are working together with a view to prosecuting those involved.”