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Gardai appeal for help after Kilbeggan incident

Thieves smashed through a wall of a filling station in Kilbeggan in the early hours of the morning before making off with a significant quantity of cigarettes and a sum of cash.

Gardai were notified of the audacious break-in at Applegreen on the old Dublin Road, Kilbeggan around 3.30am on Monday morning, however, they believe the burglary may have happened sometime prior to this.

According to Sgt Andrew Haran from Athlone Garda Station, significant tools or equipment would have have been necessary to make the hole in the wall to gain entry to the premises.

He appealed to anyone travelling along the old Dublin Road, Kilbeggan (R446) in early hours of Monday morning or anyone who has dashcam footage from that time to get in touch.

A substantial amount of cigarettes worth in excess of €8,000 were stolen along with several hundred euro of cash.

CCTV footage is also being sought in the area in a bid to track down the culprits. It's thought several people may have been involved.

This is thought to be second time in recent years that this filling station has been the victim of this type of burglary.

Unlike many Applegreen outlets countrywide, this business does not operate 24 hours and is not near any residential dwellings.

Anyone who can assist the investigation should call Athlone Garda Station 09064 98551.