Break-ins as owners slept

brazen thieves entered and robbed from two homes in Laois last week while the people who lived in the houses slept in their beds.

Gardai in Abbeyleix say a car was stolen from a driveway in the Fairways estate after thieves broke in to a house and took keys. The young couple who lived in the house woke up when they heard their car being driven away.

The patio door was forced open in this robbery, which happened at about 2am on Sunday morning last. Apart from taking the keys of two cars parked outside, a handbag and jewellery was also stolen.

Fortunately for the couple, the thieves could not start one of the cars, but drove off in the other, a silver 09 C VW Passat.

The couple called Abbeyleix Gardaí, who carried out house to house enquiries in the estate.

“The car may have been driven away at speed from Abbeyleix. We would be interested in hearing from anyone with information,” said Abbeyleix Gardai.

The police warned householders to take precaitpms, in the light of increased house robberies.

“I would highlight the need to be careful where keys are left. Patio doors appear particularly vulnerable, but there are locking mechanisms that people could consider installing,” said a spokesman,

Meanwhile, in Killeshin last Friday night, a house in the Rathglen estate was targeted. The occupants did not discover the break-in until the next morning.

Thieves forced open the back door, and searched the kitchen, taking an i-pod, a mobile phone and cash.

The gardai are now requesting help from the public on both robberies. Contact Abbeyleix Gardai at 057 873 1202.