Public urged to take precautions as second burglary is foiled in mid -Louth
This week, Sinn Féin Councillor Pearse McGeough has called for people to take extra precautions in securing their homes and garden sheds after a second attempted burglary was foiled in the Castlebellingham/Kilsaran area.
Cllr McGeough said that last month, an older lady in Kilsaran heard someone attempting to enter her home and they were chased off by her son.
He continued: “Now we have another attempted break-in, this time on the Annagassan Road in Castlebellingham.
“At around 10.15pm on Wednesday night, the older gentleman who lives there alone was going to bed and the house was in darkness.
“He heard his door being forced open and turned on the light.
“Thankfully, this appears to have frightened his would-be assailants away. They may have assumed the house was empty.
“The gentleman called the Gardaí who retrieved the pair of garden shears that were used to force his door causing damage.
Although the gentleman’s garden shed had also been forced, the shears did not belong to him.
“This has caused the gentleman untold stress and has left him shaken and feeling vulnerable in his own home.”
Cllr McGeough appealed for anyone who saw anything unusual or suspicious between 9.30 – 10.30pm on Wednesday night to notify Gardaí, no matter how insignificant it may seem.
“We cannot allow people like this to target and terrorise our older people in our community,” he added.
Cllr McGeough also reiterated his calls for vigilance and is asking people to upgrade their security if possible including garden sheds.
“I would ask neighbours to keep a watchful eye on their neighbours especially if they are vulnerable, older or living alone. The early dark nights provide cover for these scurrilous people.
“Make sure all windows and doors are secure, even if you are home and ensure that garden sheds are locked and secured.
“Gardaí are investigating and hopefully those responsible will be apprehended and face due process.”
The warnings come as gardai in Ardee continue to investigate after a shocking aggravated burglary in Riverstown which saw an elderly woman confronted at her back door by three men wielding hurleys.
The woman in her early 80’s was sitting watching the Rugby World Cup Argentina V England game on television when she heard a noise from the back door at around 9:10 pm on October 27th.
The woman got up to check the noise and saw figures pushing at her backdoor.
Three male suspects then entered carrying hurley sticks.
One of the suspects stayed with the victim while two others searched the house.
They stayed in the house for approximately 15 minutes, leaving with a number of items including a silver landline handset, Doro 8100 smartphone and items of jewellery including the woman’s mother’s wedding ring.
Some of these items have been recovered along the L1212 Stabannon Road and on the M1 Southbound motorway.
The three suspects are described as in their early 20’s, of slight build and shorter than average with neutral accents.
Gardai are appealing to the driver of a black Volkswagen Golf hatchback car, which may have had only one headlight working which was seen on the L1212 Ardee to Stabannan road around the time of the burglary.
They ask that the driver / owner of this vehicle make themselves known as gardai believe they may be able to assist with the investigation.
Gardai are also appealing for anyone who was in the Riverstown/Stabannan area at or around 9 pm on the 27/10/2023 to come forward with information or useful dashcam footage.
Additionally they are seeking anyone who saw items being discarded from a vehicle travelling south on the M1 Belfast to Dublin motorway.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Ardee Garda Station on: (041) 685 3222.