GARDAI have issued fresh home security warnings following two burglaries in a day in the Mountcharles area.
In the latest burglary, violent robbers smashed through a door window and ransacked several rooms before escaping with a sum of cash, gardai have revealed.
Within 24 hours, another house window was smashed for access and a sum of cash was again stolen.
Gardai have now warned: “We encourage all homeowners to review their home security regularly.
“The nights are starting to fall a bit earlier so whether you are at home or going out, remember to turn on some lights and use timer switches.
“Secure all doors and windows, use an alarm, store keys away from windows and letterboxes, and do not keep large amounts of cash in the house.
“If you must keep valuables such as expensive jewellery, consider investing in a good quality safe and secure it well to a wall.
“Ensure that the exterior of your home is well lit up, do not post to social media about any upcoming holidaystrips, and notify gardaí if your home is going to be vacant.”
Gardai have warned about burglaries.
She added: “Always report any suspicious activity you observe in your area to gardaí immediately.”
In the latest burglary, robbers smashed through a door window and ransacked the rooms before stealing the cash at Drumkeelan in Mountcharles last Friday, September 25.
Gardai are asking anyone with information of “suspicious activity” to contact them about the burglary.
A Garda spokesperson said: “A window was broken on a side door of a house in that area and entry was gained.
“A number of rooms within the property were ransacked and a sum of cash was stolen.
“Gardaí are appealing for information in connection with the burglary that occurred between approximately 12pm and 2pm.
“We appeal to anyone who may have travelled in that area with a dash-cam between those times, to make the footage available to us.
“If anybody observed any suspicious activity, vehicles or people in that area on that date, we ask them to get in touch with gardaí.”
Homes are encouraged to get security to deter burglaries.
The first burglary was at a house in the area of The Mill in Mountcharles.
It occurred from the day before on Thursday, September 24, between 10pm that day and 12.45pm on Saturday, September 26.
A Garda spokesperson said: “Entry was gained to the property through an open downstairs window and a sum of cash was stolen from within.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact gardaí in Ballyshannon on 0719858530, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
INFO EVENINGS
Meanwhile, several community groups are hosting security information evenings.
Drumkeen Community Alert Group will hold a property branding event on Monday, October 5 between 12pm and 2pm at the Community Hall.
The Donegal Local Community Safety Partnership is hosting a series of events, with one today (Thursday), October 1, at Milford Library between 2pm and 4pm and at Letterkenny Central Library between 6pm and 8pm.
Gardai will attend with security advice.