Gardai appeal for help with increased burglaries

Gardai in both Tullamore and Edenderry have appealed for help after a rise in burglaries around the county and have warned people to be extra careful with security. Edenderry Sergeant Kevin Quinn appealed for help with two investigations into two incidences yesterday, both of which occurred last Sunday night. The first incident saw two workers locked in a back room at Edenderry's Tesco filling station during a robbery that took place at approximately 9pm. According to Sergeant Quinn two youths entered the filling station wearing balaclavas, locked two employees in a room and stole a small amount of money from the till. The workers were unharmed in the incident. The youths left the area via a fence at the back of the premises and went into a field. "They could have come out on Fr Paul Murphy Street or maybe the Dublin Road," Sergeant Quinn said yesterday. Gardai are now appealing for anyone who saw anything unusual in the area to get in touch on 046 9731290. On the same night a second attempt in seven days was made to break into Dan O'Sullivan's house in Rathgreedan, just outside Edenderry, after a similar attempt a week beforehand. Former lorry driver Mr O'Sullivan discharged his legally held shotgun during the first break-in attempt, when would-be intruders tried to break down his door with a sledgehammer and scaffolding bar. The gun was later taken away as part of the investigan. Potential intruders chose his bedroom window as an entry point at last Sunday night's attempted break-in, at approximately 1am. Mr O'Sullivan had in his possession a neighbour's gun, as his neighbour was nervous of keeping it in his home near his children. Mr O'Sullivan discharged this firearm last Sunday night, and the would be intruders fled the scene. Mr O'Sullivan, who has since left his home for a period, said he's getting over it now, but he "wouldn't sleep near a window after it". He's resigned to the situation, saying burglaries are "happening everywhere now". Some hours after the second break-in attempt at Mr O'Sullivan's home a man was arrested in connection with the incident. He was detained and questioned at Tullamore Garda Station but was released on Tuesday. A file is currently being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions. Sergeant Quinn has appealed for anyone who may have seen anything untoward on either Sunday night to contact Edenderry Garda Station, regardless of how insignificant it may seem. "At the end of the day it may prove to be very significant," he said. Tullamore Gardai are also appealing for help from the public this week, after a number of burglaries over the last couple of weeks in rural areas around Edenderry, Daingean, Ballinagar, Killeigh, Mountbolus and Tullamore between 9am and 1pm. Tullamore Sergeant Ollie Baker appealed for locals to be "aware of their own personal domestic security and be vigilant for any suspicious cars or behaviour in the area". Anyone wishing to report anything to Tullamore garda should call 057 9327600.