Manhunt underway into "appalling" act of "deception as brazen bogus garda targets old age pensioner

The incident took place in Legan last Thursday evening when the male suspect knocked at the door of his victim.

The unsuspecting pensioner, who is aged in his mid 70s allowed the man inside after being told by his assailant that he was doing a routine check on elderly people after being newly assigned to the area.

The thief is believed to have made off with the man's wallet moments after asking his victim to 'mark' it for security purposes in the event of a robbery.

A garda spokesperson confirmed an investigation into the circumstances surrounding last Thursday's incident was now underway.

"Gardaí are investigating a burglary that occurred at a residence in Legan, Co Longford on Thursday evening, 31st August 2023.”

Sgt Damien Bartley, who is the crime prevention officer for Longford and Roscommon, urged homeowners to refrain from keeping large sums of cash at home, to stop short of opening doors to dubious callers and to always check for ID before letting anyone into their homes.

“This was an appalling incident of intimidation and deception and we're supporting the victim as we investigate,” said Sgt Bartley.

In a seperate development, there have been fresh calls this week for embattled Garda Commissioner Drew Harris to scrap the recently revised Longford/Mayo/Roscommon Garda Division by aligning the county with its constituency opposite number, Westmeath.

“In 2012 a decision was made to realign Longford with Roscommon, however recently a new super division has been formed with Mayo. I don’t believe this in the best interests of the people of Longford,” he said.

“Longford is one of three3 pilots for the proposed Community Safety Partnerships which is about increasing the interaction between state agencies and community groups. The needs in our county are unique and all the agencies we work with in the Partnership are shared with Westmeath for example all our links through the HSE are with Mullingar Hospital and CHO 8 area which doesn’t include Roscommon or Mayo.

Senator Carrigy said the move was logical in view of how a number of State and independent organisations such as Longford-Westmeath Education and Training Board (ETB), the current district court area and rural transport body all operate and cover the Longford-Westmeath area.

“And following the Boundary Commission announcement last week the Constituency comprises of the entirety of both counties,” he said.

“Both counties are aligned positively in so many ways. Now is the time to make this change and bring back the Longford Westmeath (Garda) Division.”