More arrests in follow up searches following spate of burglaries in Kilkenny City

Gardaí have raided four properties in Tallaght in Dublin this morning in connection with a spate of burglaries on residential properties in Kilkenny City on Friday.

Detectives from Kilkenny Garda Station searched the houses in a morning raid and a number of suspects have been arrested and are currently in custody.

It is understood that a Dublin-based criminal gang are believed to be behind the recent spike in criminal activity.

Three properties were burgled in Kilkenny last Friday and gardaí initially made two arrests on Friday evening when they stopped a vehicle close to the M9 motorway.

The suspects were arrested and detained at Kilkenny Garda Station. One of the suspects was subsequently charged with a number of offences and brought before the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin.  

Last Friday two residential properties were targeted in the Freshford Road area of the city in the daytime burglaries and quantities of cash and jewellery were stolen. Both houses were unoccupied and were extensively ransacked. One house in Aylesbury was burgled between 3pm and 7pm while the second property at The Sycamores on the Freshford Road was hit between 9.50am and 6.50pm.

A third house was also burgled on the same date at an address in Newpark Upper between 3.30pm and 8.30pm.

Superintendent Derek Hughes told the Kilkenny People that a number of countermeasures were in place to disrupt the activities of travelling criminals and deter them from targeting Kilkenny including checkpoint cordons and intelligence led search and arrest operations. 

“This type of criminal activity has been reduced dramatically in recent years through close co-operation between An Garda Síochána and the public in Kilkenny.  We are determined that these gains against criminals will not be lost.” the Superintendent said.  Meanwhile, Kilkenny gardaí are also advising people to make sure that their homes are properly secured. 

“People should make sure that their homes are locked and lit up and where possible people install and use alarm systems to deter criminals. Any suspicious activity should  be reported to gardaí,” said Crime Prevention Officer, Sergeant Peter McConnon.