LADY LEFT SHAKEN BY BOGUS CALLER

MAN SAID WORKED WAS NEEDED ON HOUSE AND ASKED FOR CASH UPFRONT

THE gardaí have appealed for people in the Enniscorthy town and district area to be wary of bogus house-callers in the wake of an incident in Ferns which left an elderly woman shaken.

The incident occurred on the evening of Tuesday, June 2, and Sergeant Margo Kennedy said the woman in question was left shaken by the ordeal.

A man called to her home and told her that her house required work to be done. It’s believed that he said he was from the local authority and asked for money for materials up front.

The woman handed over a sum of money to the man who said he would return the following day to collect the remainder.

A neighbour of the woman became suspicious when she told him what happened and when the man did return to the house he drove off when challenged.

Sgt Kennedy said the matter is being fully investigated and a definite line of enquiry is being followed.

She appealed to people to exercise caution when employing people to do work on a property.

‘Make sure you are satisfied as to the authenticity of the person you are employing.

Sgt Kennedy advised people to now answer the door to people purporting to be tradesmen unless they have contacted them beforehand themselves looking for their help.

‘We would advise people to not answer the door to these people unless they have initiated the contact themselves,’ she said.

With regard to the Ferns incident she said the man took money from the victim but didn’t do any work.

‘Any amount of money for elderly people is huge,’ she said.

She also encouraged people to contact the gardaí in Ferns, Bunclody or Enniscorthy if they have any security fears.

‘If you have any concerns then contact Enniscorthy or Ferns garda stations,’ she said.

Sgt Kennedy also said she is willing to talk to anyone in the community who might have concerns with regard to safety and security.

She also encouraged other members of the community who know of people who might be vulnerable to check on them and make sure they are safe.

The contact numbers for the local garda stations are: Bunclody, 053 9377102; Enniscorthy, 053 9242580; and Ferns, 053 9366104.