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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

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    Mute Tap Solny
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    Feb 27th 2015, 12:00 PM

    What good is this to the people of Crookhaven? Most of these jobs will be under €50,00 p.a. – slave labour. How many of these jobs will be permanent (a guarantee of 30 years)? Kicking the can down the road. Jobridge. No jobs should be created until all the bankers have been jailed and there is a 32 county united Ireland with Gerry Adams as its king.

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    Mute Steve Tracey
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    Feb 27th 2015, 12:12 PM

    Tap,
    Most people are working for a lot less than 50K pa think the greater majority are around 25K, As to perm enact jobs no such thing any more. You really need to berealistic.

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    Mute Mick McDonagh
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    Feb 27th 2015, 12:15 PM

    You’ve chosen too many plots for your trolling to be effective. You need to concentrate more on insulting one particular group and just keep on doing it. 1/10 from me.

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    Mute David Murphey
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    Feb 27th 2015, 12:16 PM

    Steve, I thinkTap was being funny. I hope so

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    Mute Dayvid McWalliams
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    Feb 27th 2015, 12:20 PM

    Old Tap and his satire, what will we ever do with him? *ruffles hair

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    Mute Tap Solny
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    Feb 27th 2015, 12:27 PM

    Thank you Mick, your advice is appreciated.

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    Mute Ronan Sexton
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    Feb 27th 2015, 12:49 PM

    “Has potential, must try harder next term”

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    Mute Al Beebak
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    Feb 27th 2015, 1:18 PM

    I preferred him as pat Lyons

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    Mute Ronan McDermott
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    Feb 28th 2015, 1:59 AM

    Sir you have waaay too much time on your hands . Perhaps yourself and Gerry Adams should brainstorm together in his bathtub with the lil duckies!

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    Mute Paul Mc
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    Feb 27th 2015, 12:39 PM

    Mean while the Minister for Gobs Richard Bruton is down in Cadburys begging for the lost jobs back as he fears being reelected is not on the cards.

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