Kildare woman ran after van after 'hooded men' tried to take lawn mower

A householder in the Straffan area has contacted KildareNow after occupants of this white van tried to take a lawn mower and a strimmer outside her house.

The woman witnessed two men in hoodies try to take the gardening equipment.

She said the back doors of the van were open and another man was waiting in the driver's seat at the time.

The vehicle was spotted acting suspiciously at lunchtime in Castlewarden, Bishopscourt, Tuckmilltown and Oughterard in the general Straffan area.

The woman said: "It's just scary when you're sitting looking out the window and see two hooded guys running along the outside of your house.

"While there are two gardeners in your garden working and they still tried to come in and take the gardeners' equipment'

"It's brazen.

"A car came up behind them as they jumped into the back of the van and I was running after them.

"The car behind saw what was going in and followed them and took photos.

"It was all very quick."

The householder contacted Gardai over the incident and gave registration details of the van.

Earlier this week, Kildare Gardai warned people to lock up gardening equipment and tools at night.

Many householders working outdoors on the longer evenings may be temped to leave lawn mowers and strimmers outside.

However Gardai said there has been an increase in thefts in this area and that all property of this kind should be secured in locked sheds.