Gardaí on hunt for brazen criminals behind daring Longford farm raid

Gardaí suspect brazen criminals who stole a Toyota jeep, trailer and power tools during a daring overnight farm robbery in county Longford used the vehicle 24-hours later to steal a four wheeled loader from a farmyard in county Monaghan.

A major investigation is underway to help find the brazen criminals who stole a jeep, trailer and power tools during a daring overnight farm robbery in county Longford.

Gardaí have launched an investigation following the theft which occurred from a farm yard in Clonterm, Longford on Friday night, November 1 or in the early hours of Saturday morning, November 2.

Among the items stolen were a Dublin registered silver Toyota Land Cruiser jeep, a yellow Chieftain double axle plant trailer and a Honda Gator.

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The raiders also got away with a large amount of DeWalt power tools, including a consaw, while cattle and horse dosing material was also stolen.

The diesel tank on the farm was also drained by the brazen thieves before they fled the scene.
Garda Crime Prevention Officer for Roscommon Longford, Sergeant Damien Bartley said there is much concern in the local community following the incident.

He outlined that local businesses had provided CCTV footage to investigating Gardaí in a bid to track down the criminals.
Footage from CCTV located close to the farm appears to show the stolen jeep and trailer passing at approximately 2:45am on Saturday morning.

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Just 24-hours later at 2.30am on Sunday, November 3rd Gardaí received a call that a shed was broken into at Ford Johnson, Emyvale.

During the course of the break-in a Mustang Skid Steer was stolen and it was taken away on a trailer which was towed by a Toyota Land Cruiser that Gardaí suspect was stolen from Longford.

Sgt Bartley is urging anyone that may have seen anyone acting suspiciously in the area or who may be offered the stolen items for sale to come forward.

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"There is an extensive investigation going on with our Garda colleagues in Monaghan-Cavan to try and establish facts and verify exactly what happened and who was involved and the vehicles used and that process is ongoing," he added.

It is understood CCTV was also obtained from the farm in county Monaghan and that is being studied and assessed.

Any person with information about the theft is asked to contact Longford Garda Station on 043 335 0570, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.

Separately, Gardaí arrested three males in Dublin on Tuesday part of an ongoing investigation into organised criminal activity and burglaries in Mayo, Roscommon, Longford, Westmeath and Sligo.

The operation involved the search of four properties in the Dublin where North Western Region personnel were assisted by members from the Armed Support Unit, DMR West and DMR South along with DMR Regional support and members from Athlone.

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It was part of an investigation into 29 burglaries in counties Mayo, Roscommon, Longford, Westmeath and Sligo.

During the course of the searches, property was seized which is believed to be the proceeds of organised criminal activity, which included a Rolex watch, designer handbags and shoes and substantial amounts of cash.

Other property recovered included mobile phones, multiple car keys and log books of vehicles.

Three men, aged 26, 21 and a juvenile, were arrested and taken to Garda stations in the Mayo/Roscommon/Longford Division, where they are being detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2007.