Garda investigations are ongoing today into a break-in at the offices of Castleisland Co-Op Mart. The glass-strewn scene has been examined for evidence. Footage from two active, security cameras close to the breach is also being examined.
Thieves broke through re-inforced glass to gain entry to the offices at around 1-30am this morning.
The highly alarmed building went off as they gained entry and Gardaí and key-holders were alerted and arrived on the scene shortly afterwards.
The thieves had fled by then but not before they smashed their way through an inside door, glass panel.
The latter action, however, only gained them access to a hallway and a maze of doors.
“We were alerted at the time but when we got here the raiders had gone. I don’t know what they hoped to get here as we wouldn’t be keeping any valuables here anyway. It’s just the pure vandalism of it. As you can see there it took them a good while to get through the re-inforced glass so they must have been hopeful of finding something here,” said Jimmy Roche, chairman of the mart at the scene this morning.
A local Garda spokesman confirmed that three males broke into the building at the said time and that CCTV footage is being examined as part of the investigation.
Castleisland Garda Station can be contacted on: 066 71 41 204 or to report an incident in confidence you can ring the Garda Confidential Telephone Number 1800 666 111.