Burglary 'like something by Al-Qaeda'

Father shares story of terrifying daytime break-in to warn other home owners

A Mullingar father whose home was broken into in the middle of the day by axe-wielding burglars wearing balaclavas while his teenage son was there on his own says "it was like something by Al Qaeda".

The man’s 17-year-old son was in an upstairs bedroom at the family’s home in the College Vale estate when two armed males gained entry by breaking the glass in one of the patio doors at the back of the house just after 4.30pm on Friday April 12.

Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner, the boy’s father, who has lived in Ireland for more than 20 years, said that when his son heard the men breaking in, he stayed in his room.

"He realised by the noise that someone had got in to the house. He didn’t open his door and stayed in his bedroom. The two guys came to his bedroom and pulled the door open.

"My son was sitting on his bed and his phone was on the table. He tried to get his phone but they took it and told him not to shout.

"They had their faces fully covered and were wearing gloves.

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One guy stayed with him and the other guy went into my bedroom and pulled out all the cupboards and took jewellery."

The boy’s terrifying ordeal was cut short by the arrival home of his mother.

The intruders were alerted to her arrival by a third male, who was driving their getaway car, and who was in constant contact with them.

"My wife parked the car. They were in the house. My son ran out to his mother. He was shaking and panicked."

The father says his family are still in shock that their home was targetted. He says he decided to contact the Westmeath Examiner to encourage people to be extra vigilant when it comes to home security and to secure their valuables.

"Everybody should know that something like this can happen. People should take care of their property. This happened in the day time, at 4.45. Somebody came and broke in to our house. What is happening to this country?

"I don’t want this to happen to anyone else. Think about it: someone comes to your house in the day time, not even night. They break through a window and take your things. It’s like something from Al Qaeda.

"We thought our estate was one of the best in Mullingar. We thought it was safe. We have been there 11 years. I am 22 years in Ireland and nothing like this happened before.

"What happened is unacceptable. It is different if it was night time and there was no one in the house. My son was in the house, it was day time. This is like something from a different country.

"It’s unbelievable. It happened to me today, but it could happen to you tomorrow."

Mullingar gardaí say that investigations are ongoing into the burglary. A spokesperson also urged householders to be as vigilant as possible when it comes to home security.