Break-ins at homes in Ashford and Wicklow

A TRIO of properties in Wicklow town and Ashford were ransacked over consecutive days and large sums of cash and jewellery stolen.

In one incident over €10,000 wroth of jewellery was missing, while a ring valued at over €8,000 was stolen from another house.

Statistically year-on-year the number of burglaries which occur rise during the dark winter-months and Gardai are advising home-owners to remain vigilant.

On Friday between the hours of 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. a house in Ashford was broken into and completely ransacked.

Valuable jewellery worth over €10,000 was stolen from the property. Entry into the premises was gained through a smashed back patio window.

The next day in Wicklow town, Saturday, November 18, jewellery and a safe were stolen from a house in Wicklow town. Amongst the missing items was a watch priced at over €8,000.

A rear window was forced open in order to gain access and the culprits exited through a rear door.

On Thursday, November 16, sums of cash were stolen from a house off the Marlton road in Wicklow town. Again the property was ransacked. The incident occurred sometime between 7.30 a.m. and 8 p.m..

Gardai are investigating all three matters and are examining CCTV footage from the different locations. A Garda spokesperson said: ‘People need to be vigilant, especially if they have cash and jewellery in their home. You may have to consider upgrading your security measures. CCTV is certainly a deterrent.

‘If you have a safe you should also make sure it is bolted to the wall. Alarms should be activated when you aren’t in the house and households should take every precaution required in order to prevent thieves from entering their home.’