Burglaries at Ballon, Castledermot Carlow town, Enniscorthy and Muinbheag (Bagnelstown), between the 23/11/08 and 10/12/08.

The Gardaí believe that burglaries at Ballon, Castledermot Carlow town, Enniscorthy and Muinbheag (Bagnelstown), between the 23/11/08 and 10/12/08 have been committed by the same raiders. This is on the basis of similar methods and vehicles used.

1. The attempted burglary at a shop at Ballon, Co. Carlow at 4.20am on Sunday 23rd November 2008.

There were two cars involved the first a Mitsubishi Pajero jeep and a red Opel Astra. Both cars were stolen from Enniscorthy between the 21st and 23rd of November 2008. There is CCTV footage which captures the vehicles used and the raiders who all wore blue forensic suits. The raiders fled empty handed after being disturbed by a passer by.

2.On the same morning, some 20 minutes later at 4.45am the same two vehicles arrived at a petrol station at Castledermot. The Pajero jeep Reg No.97KY4388 drove through the security grid at the front of the shop. Having gained entry to the shop they were disturbed by a deliveryman. The jeep was left at the scene while the raiders and the red Astra fled in the direction of Carlow.

3.On the 27/11/08 a burglary occurred at a Garage at Tullow Road, Carlow at approx.4am. A silver Toyota Landcruiser, reg no. 05 LK 4679 (stolen in Tullow, Carlow during a burglary on the 25-26/11/08), was used to ram the security shutters and barrier.

The raiders then removed a bank machine that contained a quantity of cash. They then fled in a small red hatch back car, in the Wexford direction.

The phone lines adjoining the premise had been cut in an attempt to disable the alarm.

4.On the 10/12/08 a burglary occurred at a house at Enniscorthy. A Toyota Landcruiser, reg no. 07 WX 7392 was taken from outside the house. Stolen with the jeep were a generator, angle grinder, drill, wallet, chequebook and laser card.  A double barrel side-by-side shotgun was also stolen.

5.Finally, at approx. 3.47am on the 10/12/08 the above Landcruiser was driven through the front entrance to a shop/service station at Muinebheag (Bagnelstown), Co.Carlow. The raiders stole an ATM machine, which contained a quantity of cash. The machine was then loaded into either a blue saloon car. There were at least 5 raiders involved. The raiders cut the phone/alarm wires at 3.23am.

Gardaí at Carlow Town Investigating                  Telephone (059) 9136000