Garda warning as bike thefts more than double in Kilkenny year-on-year

Bike thefts in Kilkenny have more than doubled year-on-year, prompting gardaí to advise cyclists to take extra precautions to protect their property.

There were 47 bicycle thefts reported in the first six months of 2026, compared to 21 during the same period in 2025, according to the latest garda crime statistics presented at this month’s meeting of the Local Community Safety Partnership at County Hall.

Cllr Maria Dollard told the meeting that she was concerned about the increase in bike thefts.

Superintendent Sean O’Meara said the public should make sure bicycles are locked in a well-lit area, ideally covered by CCTV, and advised that all pedal cycles should be taken indoors at night.

He also advised people to take photographs of their bicycles and serial numbers, as this makes it easier for gardaí to reunite stolen property with its owner in the event of a theft.

“Value is playing a part, there are a lot of valuable bikes out there,” said Supt O’Meara, adding that gardaí were taking a proactive approach to dealing with bike theft.

The figures also showed increases in other categories of theft. There were 89 thefts from vehicles in the first six months of this year, compared to 57 in the first six months of 2025. Thefts from shops increased by more than 30%, from 323 in the first six months of 2025 to 424 during the same period this year.

In relation to burglaries across the city and county, the report recorded 86 residential burglaries in the first six months of 2026. There was a 6.1% reduction in non-residential burglaries, from 49 during the first six months of 2025 to 46 during the same period this year.

The meeting also heard that minor assaults in Kilkenny rose by 27% in the first six months of the year. There were 225 minor assault incidents from January to June, compared with 176 during the same period in 2025.

Supt O’Meara explained that the increase in minor assaults was largely due to Kilkenny’s busy night-time economy.

There was also an increase of almost 20% in public order incidents, which Supt O’Meara attributed to “the same root cause”.

“While the thriving night time economy is positive for businesses in Kilkenny with it comes conflict and people who overindulge. We would expect this increase with the increase of people coming in,” he said.

Chair of the LCSP, Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick, said the increase in public order incidents was “a concern”.

“The city has gotten very busy – this is very positive for traders. It presents challenges for us, but that is what we are here for,” said Supt O’Meara.

“The profile of offenders is male, and the victims are in public places and there is alcohol involved. When you are out for a night, plan your way home and don’t be an aggressor,” he added.

Cllr Fitzpatrick also told the meeting that “there are young lads running wild in the evening” in the city centre.

“I saw tourists on Kieran Street, and there were young lads who came down in swarms and they were pulling and dragging at bikes,” he said, before asking the superintendent if gardaí could “deal more firmly” with them.

“We are trying to create a diversion programme to keep this cohort engaged. We are trying to engage with families and educate parents that they know where their children are,” said Supt O’Meara, adding that mobile devices can make the issue difficult as people can “meet in an instant”.

Cllr Fitzpatrick also highlighted the need for more CCTV cameras at the meeting. Director of Services Tim Butler said gardaí currently have 19 cameras in the city and that there is a proposal for an additional 22 cameras, with money set aside for them.

“Let’s get this sorted, it is imperative that we get it done,” said Cllr Fitzpatrick.