Tag: garda

Witness appeal

Gardai in Mullingar are investigating a serious assault on a young female which occurred in the Ashe Road area of Mullingar on Sunday, the 6th June 2010 at approximately 3pm.

The assault took place in an open area where a number of children were playing.  The culprit is described as being in his late teens/ early twenties.  He was wearing a grey tracksuit with a hooded top and wearing black runners.  He is described as being of average height.  This youth is described as having a freckled or spotty face.

Gardaí wish to appeal to anyone who may have been in the Ashe Road area and who may have seen this youth or to any person who can assist Gardaí to contact them at Mullingar Garda Station at 044 9384000, the Garda Confidential Line 1-800-666-111 or any Garda Station.

From the Garda.ie press office

Update: 12 June, 2010 14, June, 2010

A man is due in court in Mullingar this evening in connection with a serious assault on a girl in the town last week.

The male(26yrs) was arrested Friday the 11th June 2010 and detained in Mullingar Garda Station under the provisions of Sec. 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 as amended.

The assault happened on the Ashe Road in the town, in an area of open ground.

The man will appear before a special sitting of Mullingar District Court at 5.45pm this evening.  

Keeping your home and valuables secure

Unfortunately, there appears to be a rise in the number of burglaries in the area as reported in the local papers recently. This rise is also apparent across the country. Easy opportunities e.g. a door left unlocked for a few minutes or a window left open, will be seized upon by the opportunist burglar. Extra vigilance might save yourself or a neighbour the turmoil of a burglary so please do report any suspicious activity to the Gardai at 044 9384000. The garda.ie website has a home security checklist to help make your home less attractive for any unwanted attention. Their checklist is as follows:

Doors and windows

  1. Are all your external doors properly fitted and equipped with appropriate secure locking systems?
    (i.e. 5-lever mortice locks for wooden doors, multi-point locking for uPVC doors etc.)
  2. If you have glass panelled doors – are they reinforced in some way so that they cannot be
    shattered?
  3. Have you a wide-angled viewer in your front/main entrance doors or other means of viewing
    callers?
  4. Do you have a door chain / limiter fitted and do you use it?
  5. Since moving into your home (where there may have been a previous occupier) have you had
    the locks changed?
  6. Are your spare keys kept with a trusted neighbour and never left under an external mat,
    flower pot etc.
  7. Do you lock your external doors when away from home, no matter how short a time?
  8. Do you lock the doors out of your view when working in the garden / yard?
  9. Have you installed an additional lock(s) to your sliding glass / patio doors?
  10. Can you close and lock your garage doors?
  11. Are the garage / outhouse doors protected with quality locks or deadbolts?
  12. Do you close and lock your garage /outhouse doors?
  13. Are all your windows secure?
  14. Can the window openings be restricted for ventilation?
  15. Do you check to see if all windows are secured when you leave your home?

Inside security

  1. Do you ask for identification before allowing unknown servicemen / callers into your home?
  2. Do you avoid leaving cash at home?
  3. Have you automatic timers on some lights when your house is vacant?
  4. Does your home always look like someone is at home?
  5. Have you recorded serial numbers of your valuables?
  6. Have you, for identification purposes, photographed your valuables especially items for which
    you have no serial numbers such as jewellery, china, crystal, paintings, antiques etc?
  7. Are your car / house keys kept in a location not visible from the outside?

Outside security

  1. Is your house number visible from the street?
  2. Is there sufficient illumination around your home to allow visible inspection of any dark areas
    around it?
  3. Is there sufficient external lighting outside every door to illuminate visitors?
  4. Do neighbours and passers-by have a clear view of your home?
  5. Have you trimmed all hedges and shrubs so they can’t hide a burglar at work on the windows
    and doors?
  6. Have you ever walked around your house looking for ways a burglar might be able to get in?
  7. Do you keep tools or ladders etc. in places inaccessible to potential burglars?
  8. Are machines, tools and other high value items stored in garages or sheds securely padlocked
    or chained to prevent removal?
  9. Is your shed / garage secure?

Holiday security

  1. Have you a reliable neighbour whom you can notify of your travel plans and give a key to, with a
    request for a periodic house check?
  2. Do you have a neighbour collect your mail or newspapers when you are away or do you avail of
    Mailminder from An Post?
  3. Do you cancel all deliveries?
  4. Do you have your neighbour park his / her extra car in your driveway when you are away from
    home?
  5. Do you arrange to have your lawn mowed?
  6. Do you notify the Gardaí of prolonged absences from your home?

Electronic security

  1. Do you have an intruder alarm system fitted and do you use it?
  2. Does it conform to the European Norm standard EN 50131?
  3. Is it maintained and serviced annually?
  4. Are you aware of the current Garda Intruder Alarm Policy?
  5. Do you know how to operate and use your alarm system functions?
  6. Have you considered connecting it to a monitoring centre or your mobile phone?
  7. Have you appointed a keyholder(s) and will they respond appropriately to an alarm activation?

Download the checklist