Gardaí are investigating a potential link between a spate of burglaries carried out in Clare by a group of masked men on the same night last week.
A retail premises on Main Street in Ennistymon and another on the Lahinch Road in Ennis were targeted in the early hours of Thursday morning, as well as a commercial premises in Newmarket on Fergus.
A number of men wearing balaclavas were involved in all three incidents and made their escape in a black Audi car.
Clare’s Crime Prevention Officer, Sergeant Catriona Holohan is urging anyone with information on the incidents to come forward.
“Ennistymon Gardaí are investigating a burglary that occurred in the early hours of Thursday morning, the 23rd January at a retail premises on the Main Street in Ennistymon.
“The alarm on the premises was activated just after 2.30am and 4 males wearing balaclavas attempted to break into the shop. The offenders were disturbed and they fled the scene in a black Audi vehicle in the direction of Ennis.
“Gardaí in Ennis are investigating a burglary that occurred at a retail premises on the Lahinch Road on the same morning, Thursday morning, the 23rd January.
“The alarm on the premises was activated just after 2.40am and 4 males wearing balaclavas entered the premises. A large quantity of goods was stolen and the males left the scene in a black Audi vehicle.
“Newmarket on Fergus Gardaí are investigating a burglary that occurred last Thursday morning, the 23rd January between 2.40am and 3am in a commercial premise on the Limerick Road in Newmarket on Fergus.
“Three males wearing balaclavas smashed the front window of the shop and stole a large quantity of items from the premises. The offenders left the scene in a black Audi vehicle in the direction of Limerick.
“Clare Gardaí are appealing to anyone that may have observed this vehicle in the Ennistymon area Wednesday night, early hours of Thursday morning or in the Ennis and Newmarket on Fergus area after 2am, if you observed this vehicle or you may have CCTV on your home on this route or dash-cam footage on your vehicle, please contact Ennis Garda Station or your local Garda Station or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.”
Separately, Gardaí in Sixmilebridge are investigating the burglary at a residential property in Woodview Heights on Wednesday, the 22nd January.
“Two males in black clothing wearing balaclavas were observed in the estate on Wednesday afternoon between 20 past midday and ten to one. These males damaged the rear door of the property, gaining access. The suspects fled the on foot,” said Sergeant Holohan.
Meanwhile, Gardaí in Scariff are investigating a burglary that occurred in a retail premises on The Square in Scariff in the early hours of Friday morning after 2.30am.
“The perpetrators forcefully entered the premises and a quantity of items were stolen from the shop. Gardaí believe that the perpetrators fled Scariff in the direction of Ogonnelloe and travelled onto Newport after the burglary.
“This was the early hours of the storm and there was a small number of cars on the road. If anyone observed a vehicle in the Scariff area on Thursday night or has any information in relation to this burglary please contact Scariff Garda Station on 061 922790,” Sergeant Holohan concluded.