Probe after alcohol stolen

GARDAÍ are asking publicans to report any offers of cheap alcohol after the theft of thousands of euro worth of spirits in east Cork.

They have also warned businesses storing alcohol to beef up security in lock-up premises.

Gardaí are concerned that thieves might target such premises, believing it will be easy to off-load the liquor in the run-up to Christmas.

This came after thieves broke into a warehouse at Churchtown North, near Midleton, last weekend.

A senior garda source said that raiders made off with a large number of bottles of Jameson, Powers, Captain Morgan, Jack Daniels, Bacardi, Hennessy, Cork Dry Gin and Cuerbo.

The thieves removed unopened cases of spirits from the C&R unit at the Churchtown Industrial Park, near the Two Mile Inn.

Gardaí believe the thieves forced their way through palisade fencing and into the premises during the night of Sunday/Monday last.

Detectives investigating the theft believe they may have used a van to remove the cases.

“We are appealing for anybody who may have been in the area and seen anything suspicious to contact us,” a senior garda spokesman said.

Garda believe the thieves might try and sell the drink to publicans at a cheaper than normal price.

“If a person is offered any of the stolen bottles at a knockdown price from somebody they don’t normally deal with then we would like to know,” the spokesman said.

Anybody with any information about the theft, or who has been offered cheap spirits, is asked to contact Midleton garda station at [phone].