GARDAI in Milford believe they have smashed a Eastern European crime gang believed to have been involved in spate of burglaries in the area, following the discovery of a “huge” amount of stolen goods in Termon on Tuesday.
A Polish national appeared before a special sitting Carndonagh District Court yesterday (Thursday) charged in relation to the discovery of the goods following a planned search of the property.
Meanwhile another man, also believed to be of Eastern European origin, was being held in garda custody yesterday after more stolen goods were recovered following a related search of a house in Letterkenny on Wednesday.
Gardai also believe a number of other men are still at large.
During last week’s Carrigart thefts, up to a dozen unoccupied holiday homes were raided and thousands of euro worth of goods were stolen, including a vintage car.
Speaking to the Donegal News yesterday, Inspector Michael Harrison described the latest arrests as a “major breakthrough.”
“This is a major breakthrough for us in relation to the recent spate of burglaries in the Carrigart and Dunfanaghy areas,” he said.
“Between November up until this week, there have been 24 burglaries in the area. For the corresponding period last year, there were only four.
“Thanks to assistance from members of the public, and good work by our officers, a huge amount of property was recovered in Termon on Tuesday. Such is the volume of the goods discovered that we are still cataloguing it, so this investigation is very, very much ongoing.”
“We are exploring the possibility that an Eastern European organised crime gang may be involved, however, we would appeal to members of the public with any information whatsoever to contact us.”
Inspector Harrison added that a file was being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in relation to possible further charges.
Anyone with information in relation to any of these incidents should contact Milford Garda Station on 074 91 53060.
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