Shotgun robbed in raid on home in Rathmore

GARDAÍ are hunting a crime gang responsible for the theft of a shotgun, ammunition and cash from a house raided in Rathmore in broad daylight on Monday.

The Kerryman understands the house was unoccupied when thieves struck during working hours on Monday - sometime between 7.30am and 5.45pm.

The owners of the home on the Kerry/Cork border in the townland of Lyreaoune, Rathmore, made the shocking discovery when they returned from work on Monday evening to find the premises ransacked and the gun, cash and ammo stolen.

Now gardaí are urging anyone who might have noticed anything unusual in the general area at the time to come forward. The information could prove vital in tracking down the gang and recovering the firearm and cash.

It’s an incident that has led to shock in the ordinarily quiet Rathmore area, once again underlining how vulnerable the homes of law-abiding rural citizens are to roving crime gangs.

It’s possible the callous

thieves had identified the home as a target prior to striking on Monday.

They ransacked the house, moving from room to room in search of valuables until they got their hands on the lucrative plunder.

The Kerryman understands the double-barrelled shotgun was held legitimately under licence, but it is not clear if it was under lock and key in a gun safe at the time of the raid.

A spokesperson for the gardaí was unable to confirm whether the thieves had forced a safe open to get the gun and ammo or not.

Gardaí would not say how much money was stolen from the premises. but The Kerryman understands it was a substantial amount.

The thieves broke into the home through a side window on the gable of the building.

“We would appeal for any assistance members of the public in the area might be able to provide, if they noticed anything suspicious in the area on Monday,” the garda spokesperson said.

There were no reports of any strange vehicles at the time of press.