CRIME: homes ransacked, sheds entered, property stolen in burglaries

At least two homes were ransacked, sheds entered a variety of property stolen in burglaries last week. 

In one incident, a shotgun was removed from its case during at a house in Dalystown, Mullingar and investigating gardaí had concerns the gun might have been used by the raiders if they had been disturbed.

That burglary occurred between 2.45pm and 3.45pm on Monday of last week, September 10. 

The home owner returned to find the house had been ransacked after a rear window was forced. 

A quantity of jewellery and some coins were missing.

However, the resident initially reported that a shotgun was missing following the raid, but subsequently found the weapon in another room, prompting officers to fear the culprits might have been prepared to use it.

In a second burglary on Monday, a house at Newdown, The Downs was also ransacked.

It was entered between 8.45am and 2.45pm after the raiders forced a patio door. 

A safe was pulled from the wall and removed before the culprits left.

Cigarettes, a small amount of notes and a significant quantity of coins, were stolen in a raid on a business premises in the centre of Mullingar last Thursday week. 

It is believed the intruder scaled a fence to gain entry and forced his way into the shop premises. 

The incident occurred at about 9pm and investigating officers are anxious to hear from anyone who witnessed suspicious activity in the Grove Street area.

A racing bike valued at €2,000 was stolen from a garden shed at Milltownpass last Thursday week. 

Gardening equipment, including a strimmers and a second bike were also stolen.

Three bikes, two racing bikes and a mountain bike, were taken from a domestic garage in Clonfad, Kinnegad on the same day. 

The break-in occurred between 9am and 4pm and garden tools were also taken. 

A lock securing the shed was cut by the raiders.

A Honda ride-on lawnmower and strimmers were stolen from a shed at a house in Lynn between September 10 and 12 last, while on Tuesday week last, a lawnmower and strimmers were taken from the shed at Tullaniskey.

Copper wire was stolen from a premises in Lynn Industrial Estate, Mullingar overnight on Tuesday last, September 11. 

Investigating gardaí believe the culprits climbed over a security fence.