BY DECLAN VARLEY
Gardaí are investigating a series of burglaries and incidents of criminal damage reported across County Galway in recent days, including break-ins at homes in Loughrea, Ballinasloe and Tuam, two vehicles set alight in Ballinasloe and a fire at a vacant house in Galway city.
In an appeal for information issued this week, members of the public are being asked to come forward with any information that could assist investigations, particularly if they witnessed suspicious activity or noticed unusual vehicles in the areas concerned.
One burglary was reported at a house in Ballyshrule, Loughrea, between 9am and 4pm on Thursday, October 22. Gardaí said entry was gained through a rear gate at the side of the property before a rear patio door was smashed. The house was subsequently ransacked, with damage caused to items inside.
Anyone who may have information about the incident, or who noticed suspicious people or vehicles in the area that day, is asked to contact Garda Geraldine Dillon at Loughrea Garda Station on 090 9742060.
A second burglary was reported at a property in Oghilmore, Laurencetown, Ballinasloe, between approximately 3.25pm and 7pm on October 22.
A family member checking on the house while the owner was away discovered the front and side doors open. The property had been ransacked, while a number of items were taken from an unlocked shed beside the house.
The stolen items included a Honda power washer and cattle-clipping equipment, including a battery-powered cow clipper.
Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have information or who observed suspicious activity or vehicles in the area around that time to contact Garda Stephen Ryan at Portumna Garda Station on 090 974060, or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.
A further burglary occurred at a house in Coolpark, Tuam, between 5pm and 6pm on Friday, October 23. The property was vacant at the time, and entry was believed to have been gained through the front door, which may not have been properly secured.
No damage was reported to the property, but a boiler and several glass ornaments were taken. Anyone with information is asked to contact Garda Alan Sheerin on 093 70840.
Meanwhile, gardaí are investigating several incidents of criminal damage across the county.
In Creggan, Ballinasloe, two vehicles parked on the driveway of a house were set alight at approximately 3.07am on Saturday, October 24. The fire brigade attended the scene and made the area safe.
Anyone who witnessed suspicious activity or has information about the incident is asked to contact Garda Fiona Connell at Ballinasloe Garda Station on 090 9631890, or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.
Later that afternoon, at approximately 3.36pm, gardaí and fire brigade personnel attended a fire at a vacant house under construction at Raleigh Row in Galway city.
There were no occupants in the building. After the fire was extinguished, it was established that the blaze had started upstairs at the front of the house, causing significant damage. Enquiries into the cause of the fire are ongoing.
Gardaí are appealing for information from anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity in the area. Information can be provided to Garda Tara Devlin at Galway Garda Station on 091 538000, or through the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.
A further incident of criminal damage was reported at a property in Carraig Alainn, Loughrea, at approximately 9pm on Sunday, October 25.
The property owner contacted gardaí after discovering that the glass in downstairs windows and doors had been broken. A red, Land Rover-type jeep, believed to be a 2005 model, was reportedly seen entering the estate. Two men were then observed getting out of the vehicle and damaging the property before leaving the scene.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Garda Barney Carroll at Loughrea Garda Station on 091 842870, or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.
Gardaí are urging anyone who may have witnessed any of the incidents or who has information that could assist their investigations to come forward.
