Gardaí investigate theft of gates from Limerick farm

GARDAÍ are investigating the theft of gates on a farm in Limerick.

Two galvanised gates were stolen from a farm in the Millmount area of Kilmallock between Sunday, March 9 and Tuesday, March 18.

Gardaí in Bruff are investigating this incident.

“Remember to report any suspicious activity, individuals or vehicles in your area to local gardaí, which may assist them in their investigations or indeed prevent crime from occurring in the first place,” said Sergeant Michelle O’Halloran, crime prevention officer at Henry St garda station.

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Offering crime prevention advice to farmers, Sgt O’Halloran said they should consider “restricting access” to their property and farm yard by “installing gates and fix them to a sturdy concrete or metal post” and “keep them locked”.

“Secondly, consider installing an alarm in vulnerable areas,” Sgt O’Halloran said. 

“An alarm will emit an audible warning and CCTV will provide surveillance on places out of view of the farmhouse. Illuminate areas which are overlooked from the dwelling or covered by CCTV.”

When it comes to storage of items, Sgt O’Halloran recommends “storing tools and smaller machinery items in a building with enhanced security features close to the farmhouse”.

“I advise farmers to note serial numbers and photograph all their machinery and never to buy goods from strangers or pay cash for items,” she said. 

“I also recommend downloading An Garda Síochána Property App, which is available from Apple Store and Android Play.”

The Garda Property App was developed to assist and encourage members of the public to record their property details, including farm equipment, on their own smartphones that can be retrieved and passed onto gardaí.