Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

CCTV footage of a burglar in Leitrim. RTÉ Prime Time

Gang of armed locals chase burglars through town in Leitrim

An RTÉ Prime Time programme due to air tonight looks into the problem of repeat burglary offenders.

PEOPLE IN COMMUNITIES across Ireland have expressed concerns and fear over spates of burglaries in their areas.

An RTÉ Prime Time programme due to air tonight looks into the problem of repeat burglary offenders and the impact of criminal gangs on communities.

The programme will review CCTV footage of different incidents.

In one incident, a group of men were recently chased by a group of locals – some of whom were armed - following a house burglary in County Leitrim.

The incident occurred in Newtowngore earlier this month.

Local publican Gerry Gorby disturbed burglars as they ransacked his home in the village.

Customers at the pub and others pursued the getaway car, which crashed a short distance away from the crime.

“A good gang of lads got out even the local gun club got out with lights, tried to pursue them through the fields for about four hours in all,” Gorby told RTÉ Prime Time.

They were looking in all the fields around the area to try and get them.

When questioned whether some of the locals were armed, Gorby said they were.

“We don’t know that would have happened if we came across them, that’s the frightening thing for them and for the other people in pursuit of them,” he said.

RTÉ also went on patrol with gardaí in Laois Offaly where a taskforce has been set up to tackle burglary.

Despite garda statistics late last year which indicated that burglaries were decreasing, one interviewee tells the programme that some gardaí the issue had reached “epidemic levels”.

 RTÉ Prime Time – Serial Offenders airs  tonight on RTÉ One at 9.35pm

Read: Dart delayed as fight breaks out over tissue selling scam

Read: Armed robber jailed after holding up shop when gardaí were in the back looking at CCTV footage

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
67 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

    Leave a commentcancel

     
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds