This is a reminder that you should ALWAYS report suspicious activity in your area, on your own or a neighbour’s property, to the Gardai as soon as you suspect that something isn’t right.
Three farms were robbed on the night of the 12th / 13th August and the intruders knew exactly what they were doing, where they were going and what they were looking for. In at least one case, they accessed a property through neighbouring fields, bypassing security gates and cameras. That took some research and someone somewhere might well have seen them (or their associates) in the area in the days or even weeks before they struck.
Even if you live down a country lane, trust your gut. You more than likely know your neighbours, the vehicles they own and any habits they might have. So if you notice unfamiliar vehicles or people loitering on country roads, crossing fields or even patrolling built up areas – and something doesn’t feel right about it, report it!
Do not put yourself in danger by intervening in a robbery or approaching strangers. A resident was threatened when he did so during another incident in the early hours of August 1. Instead, call 999 without delay and give the operator as much information as you can.
Thankfully incidents such as those described are rare in Delvin but they do happen periodically and we all need to look out for each other. The security of our local community has to be the priority and innocent people have nothing to fear from the gardai. So make that call if you suspect something is going on.
REMEMBER: Seemingly inconsequential pieces of information from different sources can be (and has been) pieced together by investigators, leading to foiled robberies, arrests and retrieval of stolen property. The colour or make of a car, a partial number plate, the direction the suspects were heading in or the partial description of a person etc – it really can all add up.
Delvin Garda Patrol – 086 858 3049 Delvin Garda Station – 044 966 4193 Mullingar Garda Station – 044 938 4000
In an emergency, always call 999.
