Launching Michael O'Byrne Heriloom Protection Services in Kilkenny were l-r. Eddie McDermott, Insruance Broker, Gowran, Michael O'Byrne, John Fenton, director of Sentry Security, Seamus Costelloe, Past President of the Retail Jewellers of Ireland and proprietor of Murphy Jewellers, Kilkenny with Maria Dunphy, President of the Irish Professional Photographers Association.

Launch of new service...Michael O'Byrne Heirloom Protection Services in Kilkenny
A unique heirloom protection service for householders has been launched by a former Garda who has specialized in photography for over 20 years.

Michael O’Byrne has combined his expertise in security and police work with his experience as an award-winning photographer to provide an electronic inventory of valuable household items to be used in the event of loss or destruction through crime, fire or other means.

The new service, called O’Byrne Heirloom Protection Services, launched in Kilkenny, is designed as a support for the work of the Gardai, insurance and security companies and will save time, trouble and money for members of the public who have lost valuable property through crime or accident.

“The most recent statistics show that burglaries account for 24 per cent of headline offences recorded in 2003 and showed an increase on the previous year,” according to Michael O’Byrne ‘House and other burglaries in 2003 totalled 25,160 of which the south east region, comprising Waterford/Kilkenny; Wexford/Wicklow and Tipperary, accounted for 3,048.

“From these statistics it is clear that burglaries from homes is a very significant crime and that each year, more and more householders are having this very unpleasant experience happen to them,” added Michael O’Byrne, who served as a member of An Garda Siochana for 30 years.

“One of the most effective tools in increasing a householders’ chances of recovering their stolen property is having as much detail to supply to the Gardai as possible. This is where our service is invaluable as we have created high quality digital images of the property for just this sort of eventuality. It is also of use for Gardai when stolen property is recovered as it makes it easier for them to identify the rightful owner. If an insurance claim is involved, it is equally valuable in ensuring a speedy and satisfactory outcome to a claim.”

At the launch, Eddie McDermott, a leading insurance broker, said: “I think it’s a great idea. I had a robbery myself and, being in insurance, I had a back up already in place, this really helped me and made the insurance claim easier. I think people with valuables in their homes should use this service in conjunction with their insurance as it makes it much easier to have a claim processed.”

Maria Dunphy, President of the Irish Professional Photographers Association, commented: “The new service will give people the opportunity to have their valuables recorded professionally in the privacy of their own home and the IPPA wishes Michael O’Byrne the very best in his new venture.”

According to Seamus Costelloe, proprietor of Murphy Jewellers in Kilkenny and former president of the Retail Jewellers of Ireland, insurance companies are increasingly asking their customers to supply photographic evidence of their insured jewelry and other valuables.

“The new service will be very useful and we here at Murphy Jewellers wish Michael every success,” added Mr Costelloe.

John Fenton director of Sentry Security says: “With crime now on the increase it is important that if your home is targeted by burglars you should have a permanent record of all your valuables from both an insurance and recovery point of view.” The new service offers a home appointment-only service to create a photographic and electronic record of valuable home contents and personal belongings, jewellery, antiques, garden ornaments, works of art, heirlooms, items of great sentimental value, ornaments, crystal, silver, porcelain and other property.

“The main advantages to having this inventory is in the area of proof of ownership,” says Michael O’Byrne. “It greatly assists in Garda enquiries to apprehend criminals after a burglary; it expedites and authenticates insurance claims; it identifies and helps recover stolen property; it helps reduce insurance fraud with a credible record, prepared independently with ‘home environment authenticity’.

“High quality photographic, electronic, and forensic records of valuable home contents and personal belongings translate into a worthwhile asset when the records are used to positively identify, recover, and prove ownership of valuable possessions. The quality of these records is a very important consideration in ensuring that maximum value is gained. High resolution and detailed photography retains the article’s definition and identification marks when enlarged and ‘zoomed’ on a computer screen.

“Records that are lost through fire, theft, or natural disaster can be replaced and we can update and amended the files regularly to include new items,” adds Michael O’Byrne.

More information from Michael on 056-7724317.or contact me by e-mail to arrange appointment.

Scale of Charges
Within 20 miles of Thomastown (exclusive of V.A.T. @ 13.5%)