Homeowners urged to secure their property

The public are being urged to ensure their homes are kept properly secure and to take other preventative measures against the threats of burglary and robbery.

The appeal came at the latest meeting of the County Monaghan Local Community Safety Partnership and at a time when many homeowners may be going away on holidays.

Garda Superintendent Pat O’Connell revealed how 19 burglary offences had been detected in the county in the second quarter of this year making for a total of 40 in the first half of 2026.

Supt O’Connell said some of these crimes arose in circumstances where premises were left unsecured, making them easy targets for opportunistic and mobile criminals.

He appealed to the public to ensure their premises are locked and to take appropriate measures if they leave their properties vacant for a time.

Supt O'Connell further stressed the importance of having proper lighting outside properties.

The senior garda said some of the burglary investigations have already progressed to decisions before the courts. A number were of a cross-border nature and the Gardaí are liaising with the PSNI in relation to them.

Thefts from shops and vehicles

Noting that there were 40 reported thefts from shops in the county in the second quarter and 77 in the year to date, Supt O'Connell said retailers are always at risk. He recommended the installation of CCTV, describing it as a great source of evidence.

The Superintendent said there had been no instances of the more serious offence of robbery from establishments or persons in Co Monaghan in the second quarter and only one such crime in the year so far, which he thought is a positive indicator.

He said there have been six thefts from vehicles in the last quarter (nine so far this year) and 26 instances of thefts from other property (44 in total in 2026 to date).

Supt O’Connell felt the figures across these categories were relatively low for a six-month period. “If they ran into the hundreds, we would have a problem,” he remarked.

Stolen cars

In the second quarter there had been nine unauthorised takings of motor vehicles, bringing the total for the year so far to 13. In some cases vehicles such as land cruisers were taken from premises as part of a targeted organised crime operation.