Gardaí urge holiday-home owners to show caution after spate of burglaries

Gardaí have offered advice to anyone who may have a vacant property following a series of burglaries that have occurred recently in the Ballyshannon District.

Between June 30 and July 12, entry was gained to a vacant holiday home at Doonin, Kilcar, where substantial damage was caused to the property as a result of it being ransacked by intruders. 

A burglary also took place at a vacant holiday home between April 29 and June 29 in the area of Lerginacarha, Ardara. The front door of the property was damaged and entry was gained. The garden shed door was also forced open, although nothing was stolen from the property. 

Then, on a date between June 1 and July 12, a burglary occurred at a vacant cottage in the area of Largybrack, Glencolmcille. Damage was caused to the front door and entry was gained, with nothing reported to have been taken from the property.

“We advise all holiday homeowners and owners of permanently vacant properties to ensure that their properties are well secured and that they have not left any valuables or large amounts of cash within them,” a Garda spokesperson said. 

“If possible, please leave a key with a trusted neighbour or friend and request that they keep an eye on the property for you. We also ask everybody to remain alert, to look out for elderly/vulnerable neighbours and to always report suspicious activity, people, vehicles in their area to Gardaí immediately. 

“Try to provide as much detail as possible in your report - registration number of any vehicles, the direction of travel, description of people accents, hair colour, clothing. 

“If you are going away on holiday please ask a trusted neighbour to keep an eye on your property, if possible leave a car in the driveway as this gives the impression that someone is at home and ensure that it is locked and do not leave cash or other valuables inside.

“It is also advisable to cancel deliveries such as milk and ask someone to collect your post, lock away wheelie bins, ladders and other tools that could be used to climb on or force entry and keep your garden tidy, and if you’re away for a prolonged period ask someone to cut your grass. 

“Secure your garden shed with a good quality lock and independently secure bikes and other high-value items and consider marking high-value items with your Eircode or other property marking system. Also, cash and jewellery remain the targeted items. Don’t keep large amounts of cash at home and either take your jewellery with you or invest in a good quality safe. Consider installing a video doorbell. These are becoming very affordable and allow you to remotely answer a caller to your door; which again gives the impression someone is at home.

“Also, do not post photos or other details of your trip online. Don't make life easy for potential burglars. Notify Gardaí that your home will be vacant for a period of time. We can then include your address in our patrols.”

“If anybody noticed any suspicious activity in any of the above named areas in recent times we ask them to make contact with Gardaí in Ballyshannon on 071-9858530. The Garda Confidential line may be contacted on 1800 666 111.”