Gardaí report sharp rises in burglaries and criminal damage

Burglaries have soared in Co Mayo this year, with 33 more during the first eleven months of 2023 compared to the same period last year. 160 burglaries have been reported in the county so far this year, with an overall breakdown on crime figures given by Detective Inspector Denis Harrington at Friday’s Joint Policing Committee meeting.

“We are up 33 burglaries this year on last year,” Det Insp Harrington said. “Robberies and thefts from person are all down but thefts from shops continue to be an issue.” 

Det Insp Harrington said there was a lot of media interest recently following a spate of burglaries in the southeast of the county.

“An incident room was set up and a lot of valuable information came in from the public during our investigation and it is ongoing, and we will continue to ask the public to contact us if they notice anything unusual,” he added.

Det Insp Harrington outlined that thefts from shops are up by 97 this year and we are addressing that again by their Operation Target which is issuing crime prevention advice to retailers.

“Thefts from vehicle are significantly down and are at 28 this year compared to 121 pre-Covid,” he said. “There were 40 last year so there has been a noticeable reduction.” 

Det Insp Harrington said sexual offences had dropped this year compared to the same period last year and there had been a massive drop in fraud and economic crime, to 261 this year from 461 last year.

“A lot of good work has been done getting the message out there. It is still a high figure, but I think more and more people are becoming aware of it and through the advice we give out.” 

Det Insp Harrington said criminal damage incidences have risen sharply to 232 during the first eleven months of this year compared to 194 during the same 2022 period.

He stated since the last JPC in September they have seized almost €47,000 worth of drugs comprising of predominantly cannabis and cocaine, along with €3,600 in cash.

The total street value of drugs seized in Mayo during 2023 has been €807,970 with cannabis worth €588,000, cocaine valued at €210,000 and more than €20,000 in cash seized from dealers.

Chief Superintendent Raymond McMahon acknowledged burglaries are certainly on the increase and he warned criminals are coming to an area, renting out a premises and carrying out a multitude of raids.

“We did thwart a gang doing it in Mayo and it is noticeable that there has hardly been a burglary here since it was thwarted,” he said. “So, I’d appeal to the public and particularly those who have Airbnb’s to be conscious of who they are renting out to and if you have any suspicion contact your local Gardaí.”