Elderly man's bedroom ransacked after bogus parcel delivery call

Kells Gardaí are investigating a burglary which occurred in the Tuberultan area of Kells yesterday morning (29th June).

Between 10.30am and 11am, a male in a red car called to the home of an elderly gentleman claiming that he had a parcel to deliver.

He told the gentleman that he didn’t have a pen and he needed a signature. This male then accompanied the elderly gent into his house.

As they entered the house, two other males appeared and all three males entered the gent’s home and made their way to the bedroom which they ransacked looking for cash.

A Garda spokesperson said the raiders left empty handed as there was no cash kept on the property. "While the gentleman wasn’t injured during this incident, it was, as one can imagine, traumatic in nature."

"Kells Gardaí are looking for the assistance of the public in this matter. If anyone was in the Tuberultan/Balrath area of Kells, approximately 3km out the Mullingar Road and noticed any vehicles or persons acting suspiciously, or anyone who may have dashcam footage, are asked to please contact Kells Garda Station on 046 9280820 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111."

In relation to bogus callers Gardai advise you to consider the security checks below:

• Are you expecting callers? If not, look out the window to see the caller(s), make a note of theirs or their vehicles description.

• Have you a viewer fitted in your door? You are safer behind a closed door.

• Have you a door chain / limiter fitted and the chain/ limiter on? If you must open the door, use the limiter. Consider installing a video doorbell which links to your mobile phone, that way you don’t have to open the door to speak to the caller.

• If you are going to open your door to callers, ensure your back door is locked before you do.

• If you are going to engage, ask for ID – a genuine caller won’t mind.

• Don’t be embarrassed to tell the caller to write their contact details down for you so you can make an appointment with them when you are comfortable and have decided to do so.

• Use recommended trades people, avoid using the services of cold callers.

• The basic rule is if you don’t know the person at your door, you shouldn’t let them in.

• If you are anxious, contact your local Garda Station.