Robbers on the rampage: 17 premises hit in 14 days
Thieves are striking homes and businesses across County Cavan with up to five homes hit in one day last week. The Anglo-Celt can reveal that a total of 17 homes and premises were burgled throughout the county over the past two weeks. Gardaí say that burglars are becoming more daring and brazen in their activities recently by targeting houses in broad daylight. Cash and jewellery are the main focus and Gardaí could not rule out that children are being used in some cases to gain entry to homes through fly windows. One home in Kingscourt had some €5,000 in jewellery stolen; while a gym in Virginia had about €4,500 in goods taken in a break-in this week. Other properties hit in the past fortnight include a supermarket in Cootehill and a farm in Mullagh; while one home in Belturbet was hit while the owners were on holiday. On Tuesday of last week, five homes were hit throughout the course of the day in Ballyhaise, Belturbet, Tullyvin, Tunnyduff and Corbeagh. Gardaí have not ruled out the possibility that these robberies are linked. TV ads blamed A lady in the Bunnoe area whose home was hit last Tuesday told The Anglo-Celt this week that she blames TV advertisements offering cash for gold for the spate of robberies at present (See page 3 for full interview). Meanwhile, the owner of a supermarket in Cootehill whose property was also hit recently is calling for more garda resources to tackle the ongoing spate of burglaries (See page 11 for details). In Swanlinbar, a copper boiler was removed from a vacant property. Prices for scrap copper are at an all time high and this too has fuelled the theft of telephone cables across the county in recent times. Gardaí are urging all house holders to be vigilant when they leave their homes for any period of time. They advise homeowners to ensure that their doors and windows are all locked and secured. Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to any of the crimes. If anyone saw people or peoples and strange vehicles in the vicinity of any of the incidents, they are asked to contact their nearest garda station or the garda confidential line on 1800-666-111.