Aggravated Burglary in Dunshaughlin, Meath on the 17/2/21

Gardaí in Dunshaughlin Garda Station are investigating an aggravated burglary that occurred at a house on the Main Dunshaughlin Road on the outskirts of the village on the night of 17 February 2021. 

On the night in question at approximately 19:45 an elderly couple were in their sitting room watching television when they both heard a loud bang outside their back door. Their home is a large detached two storey house on the outskirts of Dunshaughlin village. 

On hearing the loud noise the couple went to investigate and noticed that their ladder, which had originally been in the garden shed, was lying on the ground. While investigating how this came to be, they were rushed by four males who pushed them back into the house and shouted at them aggressively. All four males appeared to be armed with nail bars. The smallest of the males was carrying two bottles of bleach and a bottle of disinfectant spray. 

One of the males detained the injured parties and was abusive and threatening throughout the incident and was armed with a nail bar. He searched the pockets of one of the injured parties. The other 3 males searched the house and on returning from upstairs, they searched the other injured party’s handbag and stole a quantity of cash from within. Both injured parties were then ordered upstairs, one of them being struck on the back with a nail bar for moving too slow. The injured party’s engagement ring was forced from her finger with what is believed to be a knife.

One of the suspects then drew the curtains and smashed the locks and handles on the windows. He also pushed the bed in front of the window to block access to same. Blue bleach was poured on various items in the bedroom and on various items throughout the house. The injured party’s then watched from their bedroom window as the culprits made their escape towards Dunshaughlin Village in a car which had been parked in their driveway which is described as a small black 5 door vehicle (CCTV has since been canvassed in the area and has captured a dark coloured VW Golf in the area during the time of the incident).

The injured party’s called out the window to passers-by who freed them and alerted the Gardai. CCTV footage suggests that the Donnelly’s ordeal lasted approximately 18 minutes.

One of the injured party’s suffered bruises on his lower back and left arm.

The second injured party suffered bruises on her shoulders and a cut to her engagement ring finger. 

Description of Suspects

Suspect 1 – Male, Thin build, 6ft or taller, wearing all black tight clothing including a balaclava (only eyes were visible) and black runners, Irish accent, blue disposable gloves and was wielding a nail bar.

Suspect 2 – Male, Thin build, tall, wearing all black tight clothing including a balaclava (only eyes were visible) and black runners, blue disposable gloves and was wielding a nail bar.

Suspect 3 – Male, Thin build, tall, wearing all black tight clothing including a balaclava (only eyes were visible) and black runners, blue disposable gloves and was wielding a nail bar.

Suspect 4 – Male, Thin build, smaller than the other 3 raiders, wearing all black tight clothing including a balaclava (only eyes were visible) and black runners, blue disposable gloves and was wielding a nail bar, 2 bottles of bleach and a bottle of disinfectant spray.

The above suspect’s attire is described as being identical to each other and akin to a uniform.

Suspect 5 – Driver of vehicle – Male, thin build, blonde hair, approximately 20 – 29 years old. 

Property Stolen

1. Sapphire engagement ring (Princess Diana replica)
2. Gucci watch with interchangeable faces
3. 9ct gold keeper ring
4. 9ct heavy curb link bracelet (No picture available)
5. €300- €500 in cash.

Appeal 

• Anyone who was present at Main St, Dunshaughlin on 17/2/2021 between 7:30pm and 8:15pm that noticed anything suspicious particularly at the Dublin side of the village and whom Gardaí have not spoken to
• Anyone who noticed the dark coloured VW Golf shown in the CCTV between 7:30pm and 8:15pm that entered Dunshaughlin village from the Navan direction and left in the same direction
• Anyone who may have CCTV /dashcam footage and has not yet spoken to An Garda Síochana
• Anyone who may have been offered the jewellery for sale etc.   The engagement ring in particular is a very distinctive piece modelled on the Princess Diana engagement ring to contact An Garda Síochana.
• Anyone with any information that may assist An Garda Síochana in the investigation of this serious crime to contact An Garda Síochana at Ashbourne or confidential line 

Gardaí at Ashbourne Garda Station investigating Tel: 01-8010600