Dog drugged as armed raiders steal over €100,000 in vehicles from Laois family business

Callous thieves armed with machetes, hatchets and hammers drugged a guard dog and stole over €100,000 worth of vehicles from a small family owned business in Laois last night. 

The thieves stole an Audi Q7 jeep, an Audi A3, a Ford van, a motocross motorbike, a quad and a Gucci handbag and caused extensive damage during the incident at the yard of Fitz Civils Demolition on Bishopswood Road, Portarlington in the early hours of this morning. 

It’s understood at least six people were involved in the crime which took place between 4.30am and 6.25am. 

Fionn Fitzpatrick was devastated after the theft at the family business. He said he and his family had been working 100 hour weeks up to Easter and had decided to enjoy the holiday and not work today. 

He said the dog, a Dobermann, had been sedated by the thieves and knocked out during the incident, now appeared alright but it still seemed groggy. 

“They were seen coming over the gate with machetes, hatchets, hammers, it’s a good job we didn’t wake up because we’d probably be dead,” said Mr Fitzpatrick. 

“They took over €100,000 worth of stuff…we are devastated. We worked so hard to have this stuff,” Mr Fitzpatrick said. 

He explained that the intruders were captured on CCTV and all of them were wearing balaclavas. He said they didn’t take tools or laptops from the office and appeared to be targeting vehicles. 

Mr Fitzpatrick said the burgers caused extensive damage and kicked in a door and ransacked vans and the office. 

“They torched all the cameras with a gas torch,” he revealed. 

It’s believed the burglars made off in the direction of Dublin. Mr Fitzpatrick has appealed to anyone who sees any of the vehicles or is offered them for sale to contact the Gardaí. 

Gardaí in Portlaoise can be contacted on 057 867 4100.