Gardaí close net on Border gang

AN “EXTENSIVE” investigation is ongoing in relation to recent burglary incidents in the Border region, Superintendent Pat O’Connell told the October meeting of the County Monaghan Local Community Safety Partnership.

The chief police officer said co-operation is taking place with the PSNI and it is hoped that progress will be made in bringing the participants in these incidents before the courts. He had taken part in a joint meeting with the PSNI on rural crime in recent weeks.

He informed the meeting that 17 burglary incidents had been reported to the Gardaí in County Monaghan in the third quarter of this year, bringing the total for the year to date to 59. In the same period there were 34 thefts from shops (109 so far in 2026) and five thefts from vehicles (14 in the year to date). The figure for thefts generally in the third quarter was 23 (65 this year so far) and in the quarter seven unauthorised takings of vehicles were reported (20).

Supt O’Connell said that while there has been a slight increase in the taking of vehicles, no robberies from establishments were reported in the last quarter and there has only been one such incident in the county so far this year. No robberies from persons have been reported in 2026 – this is an offence that carries a threat of violence and he is glad they are not seeing this type of crime being reported in the county in recent times.

Shop lifting

The Superintendent added that the Gardaí will be running a pre-Christmas crime prevention initiative with County Monaghan retailers encouraging them to be vigilant in relation to thefts from their premises and to report such incidents, and recommending the deployment of CCTV cameras in shops.

Cllr Noel Keelan (SF) said that retail thefts seem “on the up” in the county and represented a huge issue in towns and villages, with those involved in retail most concerned. He asked if the Gardaí have a targeted plan in relation to this crime “because it can have a devastating effect on retailers”.

Supt O’Connell said the Gardaí’s Operation Táirge against retail theft is rolled out in each division. Superintendent Gavin O’Reilly will co-ordinate the operation at division level across Monaghan, Cavan and Louth and it will be implemented in the lead-up to Christmas.

“We see basic household items being targeted,” Supt O’Connell added, “which might reflect cost of living pressures for people.”

STATISTICS

Other crime statistics reported to the meeting by Superintendent O’Connell for the third quarter of the year were 63 assaults (160 year to date), 67 public order offences (177), 38 drunkenness (99), 38 criminal damage incidents (130) and four arson incidents (14).

The Superintendent also noted 28 missing persons reports (86) and 106 formal notifications to the child and family agency Tusla (283).

There were 52 referrals of young people to the Juvenile Diversion Programme (120). “We are trying to manage young people away from crime rather than criminalising them at an early age,” Supt O’Connell remarked.