Gardaí investigate armed robbery near Virginia

Paul Neilan Gardai in Bailieborough are investigating an armed robbery at a filling station near Virginia that happened on Monday morning (February 18), during which a firearm was pulled on a staff member. Just after 11am a lone, masked man entered the shop area of the Whitegate petrol station on the Kells Road and pointed a gun at a female shop assistant and demanded cash. It is not known whether or not a real weapon was used in the one-minute robbery. The assistant, who was alone at the till at the time was uninjured during the brief ordeal, though is said to have been shaken by the experience. The man, who is described as stocky in build, had no discernible accent. He wore a balaclava, a hoodie and is thought to be late 20s or early 30s. A small sum of cash was taken and he drove off in a maroon Opel Vectra in the direction of Kells. Gardaí are appealing for information - he might have been seen changing in his car on the side of the road nearby. Bailieborough Garda Station can be contacted on (042) 966 5102. Gardai are also investigating a series of other crimes that occurred in recent days. Two communion vessels were stolen in the Bailieborough area last week after a break-in at a church. Some time between February 10 and 13 the silver vessels were taken from the vestry of the Church of Ireland in Knockbride. The two silver items were being held in a safe, which was also taken. Gardaí in Bailieborough are investigating and can be contacted on (042) 9665102. Meanwhile, a car was stolen from Ashbourne Manor in Cavan Town on the morning of Valentine's Day in a creeper burglary. At around 5.30am the keys were taken from the house and a BMW sports coupé was reported stolen - nothing else was taken. Elsewhere, a house in Belturbet's, the Fairgreen was broken into in broad daylight. In the afternoon of February 12, some time between 1-4pm the house was ransacked and, bizarrely, a dehumidifier and a mirror were the only items stolen. In Kilcogy, horse equipment was taken from a storage shed as four horse harnesses and some reigns were among equine items taken overnight on February 15-16. Finally, two pubs were also broken into last week. In Kingscourt, Freeman's Pub was broken into via a rear door at around 4.30am on the morning of February 16 and an amount of cash was stolen. The next day in Ballyjamesduff a skylight was reported to have been used to enter Cheers Bar on the Main Street. The theft occurred some time between 1am and 12.20pm and between 10pm and midnight bottles of spirits were taken. If anyone has any information on these burglaries they are urged to contact their local Garda station.