Local gardai warn householders to be extra vigilant
HOUSEHOLDERS URGED TO BE EXTRA CAUTIOUS OF BREAK-INS
GARDAI in Courtown and Gorey are encouraging the public to be mindful during the Christmas period especially in relation to home burglaries.
In two separate incidents, thieves stole personal items from the passenger seats of cars and Gardaí in Gorey are warning about awareness around opportunist thieves.
‘In Friday, December 6 in Kilanerin, an elderly woman was outside the post office and her handbag was stolen from the passenger seat of the car.
‘Two men were arrested and one was charged with theft. The woman had her handbag returned to her,’ said Sgt Stephen Ennis.
The man arrested pleaded guilty before the courts on December 9 and received a ten month sentence.
In a separate incident the night before, which took place at the Mill Retail Park, Gorey, a handbag was stolen from a car.
‘On Thursday evening, male came up suddenly and opened the door of a car and took the handbag’.
Gardaí could not confirm whether the two cases related to each other.
‘With these cases, we would advise in the run up to Christmas for the public to exercise greater care and don’t leave any amounts of cash unaccompanied,’ said Sgt Ennis.
Sgt Margo Kennedy of Courtown Harbour Garda station that although Christmas should be a time of joy, it is important to be conscious of crime and how to prevent these crimes from happening.
‘If you plan on being away for the Christmas period, don’t leave home that it looks unoccupied, let a trusted neighbour know when you will be away.
‘Secure all doors and windows, if you’ve an alarm installed make sure to use it. Always light up your home, use timer switches when out,’ she said.
She said it is especially important to store Christmas presents out of view from the outside your home.
‘Store keys safely and away from windows and letter boxes, record details of valuables, where possible use engraving equipment to mark property.
Gardaí said to notify them directly if you notice anything suspicious and together they wish all a very safe and Happy Christmas.