Break-ins at Lowry and Cowen properties

Burglars have ransacked the home of Laois/Offaly TD Barry Cowen, brother of ex-taoiseach Brian.

The gang is suspected of hitting the family home of golfer Shane Lowry where crystal, jewellery, a replica Sam Maguire, and watches were stolen.

Thieves broke into the two properties in Clara, Co Offaly, between 8pm and 10pm on Thursday.

They gained access to the Lowry family home through a rear window.

Shane’s father Brendan Lowry said he was thankful the house was unoccupied during the break-in. “My young fella Alan could have come upon them. They had a spade and a hedge shears. You wouldn’t know what could have happened.”

The burglars ignored an iPad, a cheque, and a flatscreen television, taking instead jewellery, watches, crystal, and a replica Sam Maguire — presented to Mr Lowry on the 25th anniversary of Offaly’s 1982 All Ireland football final victory over Kerry.

“They went into our room and took the pillow cases and filled them up,” Mr Lowry said. “We had a cheque on the counter and they didn’t touch that.

“They took a lot of crystal that Shane would have won in golf,” he explained.

However, he said, “most of the crystal they took wasn’t inscribed” and the wooden bases with inscriptions were left behind.

“They took Cavan crystal and Waterford Crystal and some presentations that he [Shane] would have got at the Irish Open as well.”

As Shane is in Switzerland playing golf, Mr Lowry remains unsure of exactly what was stolen from the golfer’s room. “They would have ransacked Shane’s room as well, there was some watches belonging to him.”

Shane Lowry took to Twitter to vent his anger over the break-in: “So pissed off to hear the news of my parents house being ransacked last night. There are really some horrible scumbags in this world.”

A later tweet read: “I’m just relieved that no one was in the house when the house was broken into and that all my family are safe and unhurt.”

Meanwhile, Mr Cowen’s house was ransacked by burglars who also struck on Thursday between 8pm and 10pm. No one was home at the time.

Mr Cowen was meeting flood-affected farmers in Lusmagh and Banagher in Co Offaly when the break-in occurred. The burglars are thought to have left empty-handed after an unsuccessful search for cash.

“I’m just thankful that there was nobody in at the time and the kids are alright,” Mr Cowen said. “I’d just like to thank the gardaí for their efforts.”

Gardaí in Clara are investigating both burglaries and have carried out examinations of each of the properties. Gardaí say no other houses appear to have been targeted in Clara on Thursday night.