Leitrim region averaged two daily burglaries this winter

Leitrim was among the counties targeted by an organised burglary gang investigation that previously came before Carrick-on-Shannon District Court, as Gardaí this week revealed fresh Operation Thor figures showing burglary crime continues to fall.

Earlier this year, a Co. Kildare man and two juveniles appeared before the local court as part of an investigation into alleged organised criminal activity across Leitrim, Sligo, Donegal, Roscommon and Cavan.

The case was cited as an example of how Gardaí are targeting travelling burglary gangs believed to move between counties committing theft and burglary offences.

James Lynch (44), from Naas, Co. Kildare, faced charges including burglary, theft and participating in organised crime. Two juveniles also appeared before the court and were remanded in custody.

One juvenile was charged with two counts of burglary, three counts of theft, and one count of participating in organised criminal activity.

The second juvenile was charged with three counts of burglary, seven counts of theft, and one count of participating in organised criminal activity. 

One of the incidents involved the theft of a safe containing approximately €10,000 from Dowra Mart in Sligo. And an attempted theft at Lissadell House was also referenced during proceedings.

Detective Sergeant Ray Mulderry told the court at the time Gardaí believed an organised group had been active across the north-west since the beginning of the year.

He said Gardaí treat such suspects as organised crime gangs and investigate and prosecute them accordingly.

The case comes as new Operation Thor figures show the Garda North-Western Region — which includes Leitrim — averaged just two residential burglaries per day during the latest winter phase of the anti-burglary operation.

Gardaí say the campaign remains focused on disrupting organised gangs who travel into rural counties to target homes and businesses.

Nationally, residential burglaries fell by 14 per cent compared to the previous winter period, with just over 2,600 incidents reported.

Gardaí said nearly 1,000 arrests were made for burglary and related offences during the operation, with close to 2,250 charges or summonses issued.

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