Garda warning as GAA players are targeted by thieves while training

Gardaí are warning GAA players to be more vigilant about their possessions following a number of robberies at matches and training sessions in South Galway. 

Thieves’ modus operandi can be either ransacking an empty dressing room or breaking into parked cars at GAA pitches.

Players attached to Gort hurling club, for example, have been targeted by opportunistic thieves twice this year, the latest incident occurring at a junior hurling game between Gort and Castlegar last Sunday morning where wallets were robbed from the dressing room at Kinvara GAA pitch.  Players were disgusted after the game when they discovered the money missing from their kit-bags.

Gort Gardaí dealt with similar incident earlier this year, when the local senior team was training at St Coleman’s pitch after which it was discovered that several cars had been broken into and a number of iPhones stolen along with a substantial sum of money and training gear.

Superintendent Pat Murray of Gort Garda Station says a Limerick-based gang was identified as potential suspects for the crime.  It’s believed the gang was carrying out similar raids at GAA grounds across the South West.

A man is due to come before the courts shortly in connection with this particular incident.

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.