Galway Garda chief voices concern over rise in burglaries

AN increase in burglaries across Galway in the first nine months of the year continues to be a source of major concern for Gardaí in the county.

Galway’s most senior Garda, Chief Superintendent Tom Curley, told the Connacht Tribune that while Gardaí were doing everything to curb such criminal activity, householders needed to be more security conscious.

“Most of those crimes are opportunist, with unoccupied houses being targeted by thieves in search of cash, jewellery, laptops and other ‘quick sale’ items.

“With the onset of winter and the darker nights, now is a good time for people just to take a simple look at the security measures that they have in place,” said Chief Supt. Curley.

He said that the number of burglars who gained entry to houses and properties via unlocked doors and windows was still far too high and he called on members of the public not to hesitate about contacting the Gardai if they noticed anything suspicious going on.

“The one thing we never mind is a quick phone call from someone if they notice any suspicious behaviour or vehicles in an area. So what, if it turns out to be a false alarm. Our message is to always make that call and make it quickly,” said Chief Supt. Curley.

For the first nine months of this year, burglaries across Galway city and county were up 28% although the overall crime figure for the county was down by two per cent.

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.