BY MICHAEL TRACEY
GARDAI are advising homeowners to exercise caution as burglaries have been on the rise in Portlaoise in recent weeks.
Gardaí are reporting half a dozen burglaries a week since the turn of January which, if it were to continue, would lead to a sizeable increase on last year’s figures.
However, Supt Philip Lyons said gardaí were having success in tackling the perpetrators.
“We have had an increase in January. We have made one arrest, who has admitted responsibility in six of the burglaries,” he said.
He added gardaí are investigating a line of enquiry in relation to the other burglaries.
Gardaí report incidents of burglary have increased, particularly in the Grange on the Borris Road.
Supt Lyons advised homeowners to properly secure their homes, as in some instances burglars were simply opening unlocked backdoors to gain entry. Disturbingly, more and more burglaries are taking place during the day, particularly between 5pm and 8pm.
“We are finding that with these people going into estates. People may have seen them but did nothing. If they see anyone in the estate who’s not living there, they can contact us or take down the licence plate and we can check,” he said.
Supt Lyons said cash was the not the only thing burglars were looking for as a number of flat screen TVs and laptops had also been taken.
He said these stolen items were almost certainly being re-sold.
“If anyone is being offered these items at a price that is too good to be true, then I would recommend they contact us,” he said.
Four burglaries were reported in Portlaoise between last Friday and Saturday in estates on the Abbeyleix, Mountmellick and Ridge Road.
In Portarlington, a man was struck with a hammer on Saturday 30 January in an assault on the Edenderry Road and a pub was broken into on Main St, Portarlington, in the early hours of 31 January and a quantity of cash from the register and cigarette machine were taken.
Gardai are investigating all incidents. Anyone with information can contact Portlaoise Garda Station, tel 057 8699984.