Attempt made to enter Clare home during 'crime rampage'
YOUTHS who stole cars during a crime rampage last Friday attempted to break into a house in south east Clare, gardai have revealed.
An investigation is underway following the rampage which started in the early hours of last Friday and which continued for a number of hours.
"At exactly 5.39am last Friday, two youths stole a car that was parked outside a house on North Circular Road in Limerick city. It was an orange-coloured Nissan hatchback with a 03-L registration," said Garda John Finnerty of Henry Street garda station in Limerick.
"They drove this car across the city at high speed and in a dangerous manner towards Clonlara. At 6.10am they pulled
up outside a house at Churchfields in Clonlara, County Clare. Both youths jumped out of the car and attempted to force the front door of a private residence but fortunately for the owner, they failed in this endeavour," he added.
According to gardai, the youths then drove at high speed back to Limerick city and onto Newport, County Tipperary where, at 6.45am, they forced their way into a house at Riverbank, Mulcair Manor.
"They searched it (the house) and found a set of keys that belonged to the owner of the house. They went back outside and set the orange Nissan hatchback on fire. This car was completely destroyed and using the aforementioned keys they stole a black Audi A3 that belonged to the owner of the house," stated Garda Finnerty.
The Audi A3 has a 202-LS registration and gardai are seeking to establish its movements after it was stolen.
The vehicle was located on Saturday morning at Grove Island Student Village in Corbally, Limerick and investigations are ongoing to confirm its movements in the preceeding 24 hours.
"IF you came across the orange Nissan hatchback anywhere in Limerick city or en route to Newport last Friday morning, then we would like to hear from you. Similarly, if you came across the black Audi A3 that was stolen in Newport and later recovered please make contact with us also," said Garda Finnerty.
Henry Street garda station can be contacted at 061 212400 while Newport garda station can be contacted at 061 378102.