A Bantry-based councillor said he is afraid that there is ‘a new level of lawlessness in Bantry' after two men wearing balaclavas broke into a house in the area.
A BANTRY-based councillor said he is afraid that there is ‘a new level of lawlessness in Bantry’ after two men wearing balaclavas broke into a house in the area.
Cllr Danny Collins (Ind) told The Southern Star that the pre-Christmas home invasion – which occurred at 11.45pm on the night of Thursday, December 20th – was ‘a horrifying thing to happen in our community.’
It is understood that the men – who were only in the house for between five and ten minutes – threatened the occupants of the house, a couple, before leaving the scene without having caused any physical injury and without having taken anything.
Bantry-based Supt Declan O’Sullivan acknowledged: ‘It is extremely unusual to have that type of crime in Bantry. In fact, it is the only crime like that in this area, all year.’
Supt O’Sullivan said the gardaí had conducted a forensic examination of the scene after two men dressed in dark clothing, and wearing balaclavas, entered the house in Gotnacloona, which is located less than 3km from town on the Bantry to Skibbereen road.
Supt O’Sullivan confirmed that the gardaí have appointed a family liaison officer and the officer will be dealing with the homeowners.
As part of their investigation, Supt O’Sullivan said the gardaí have gone house-to-house to see if people saw or heard anything that would help identify the suspects.
Supt O’Sullivan issued an appeal to any witnesses, or anyone with any information, to come forward, especially anyone who might have dascam or CCTV footage between the hours of 11.30pm and 12.30am. They can contact the gardaí in Bantry on 027 200860, or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111.
