UPDATE: garda warning not to leave cars running when defrosting windows - THREE CARS TAKEN THIS MORNING

The gardaí in Mullingar have re-issued an appeal to motorists following the theft of three cars in the town this morning.

All three vehicles had been left running by their owners as they allowed them to de-frost prior to heading to leaving their homes.

Two of the vehicles were stolen from the same driveway in Pettiswood, Mullingar shortly before 8am.

Fortunately both were recovered within a very short time, close to the town.

About half an hour later, a Nissan Quashqai was taken from a driveway of a house in the Brookfield area and that vehicle is still missing at time of writing.

According to a garda spokesperson, similar thefts have been reported from a number of areas across the country as the current cold snap takes hold.

While many of the thefts are opportune, gardaí were at pains to highlight that criminal gangs are operating in areas of high population density in the hope of securing top end vehicles.