Gardaí renew appeal after suspected burglary gang take to fields in Laois

A manhunt is underway after a number of people abandoned a crashed car in Portarlington today. 

It’s understood four males made off on foot after a black Audi A 3 car was involved in a collision with another car at around 11am.

The Audi is a similar make and model to a vehicle used by a burglary gang in a series of burglaries across the midlands in recent days. 

A number of garda cars and the garda helicopter were involved in a search of the area.

An eye witness said two cars had been involved in a collision and there were a number of garda cars at the scene. 

A Garda Press Office spokesperson said: “Gardaí are currently attending a hit and run road traffic collision that occurred at approximately 11am today, Friday, 10th of May 2024 on the Monasterevin Road in Portarlington, Co Laois.

Occupants of the crashed vehicle have fled the scene and searches are ongoing at this time.”

Laois Gardaí said  “Portlaoise Garda are appealing to anyone that was in Portarlington town this morning between 10.30am and 11.30am (10/5/24) particularly on Broughlone St Portarlington. We are investigating a number of incidents involving four males that subsequently abandoned a Black A3 Audi this morning and took to the fields around Portarlington.”

“We are particularly interested in any dashcam footage of this vehicle or its occupants,” they added.  

Gardai are appealing to anyone in the Portarlington with dashcam footage of the area or who noticed suspicious characters or any suspicious activity to contact Portlaoise Garda Station on 057 867 4100.