Designer jacket stolen from customer at Limerick pub

GARDAI are appealing to people to be vigilant when socialising in busy pubs over the festive period.

The appeal follows a number of separate incidents in the city over the past week. In one incident, a designer jacket was stolen from the back of a chair.

"A man in his early forties was out for a drink with friends. He hung his jacket over the back of his chair and enjoyed his night. When it was time to go home he discovered that his jacket was gone," said divisional crime prevention officer, Sergeant Ber Leetch.

"These criminals are quiet discerning, it was a Hugo Boss jacket worth €500 and it contained his car keys. Thankfully, the man did not leave his wallet or bankcards in his jacket," she added.

The garda advice to protect your property is to keep it on you but if you have to leave it for a time remind your friends to keep an eye on it and then watch your friend's property if they leave for a time.

"It’s all about keeping an eye on each other," said Sgt Leetch.

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In another incident, three women attempted to take a number of coats and jackets after distracting the person who was keeping an eye of the jackets.

"While he was turned away, looking at two of them, the third woman picked up his wife’s handbag and was walking away with it." 

However, the owner of the bag spotted what was happening and she approached the woman and confronted her.

"The three women turned on her then and started shouting and, of course, everybody in the pub was looking. Eventually the three women went back to the other side of the pub but within minutes, the woman who had lifted the handbag left," said Sgt Leetch.

"These women looked like any other person in the pub, they were dressed up and looked respectable but I have always said that criminals look like you and I, they dress to fit in, they see a chance and are very quick to take it. Keep your handbag, phone and wallet on you at all times; do not give these criminals the chance to ruin your Christmas," she added.