Holly-selling gang behind robberies, gardaí warn

Gardaí suspect a bogus holly-selling gang may be responsible for burglaries in the mid-Cork area.

A garda spokesman said three men, believed to be in their late teens or early 20s, are using the cover of holly-selling “to case houses”.

The spokesman said it is believed the men are knocking on doors on the pretext of selling holly, but are really seeking houses which are temporarily unoccupied.

Garda intelligence points to the gang being suspected for two burglaries in Macroom on Thursday.

Cash and jewellery was stolen from unoccupied houses at Oakwood and Cork St between 6.15pm and 7.15 pm.

The spokesman said the trio may be using a silver Mazda 6.

Gardaí are warning householders the gang might adopt distraction-type burg-laries, whereby one of them will try and keep a potential holly-purchaser talking at the front door while an accomplice breaks in at the back to steal valuables.

“If somebody knocks at the front door and you are on your own in the house, always make sure you lock the back door before going out to see them,” said a garda spokesman. “If you are suspicious in any way about a caller — immediately contact your local garda station.”

Gardaí in Macroom are asking anybody with information about the holly sellers to contact them on 026 20590.

It is the latest in a series of scams in the area.

An unusual one occurred late last month, again in the Macroom area. A woman accompanied by a 10-year-old girl approached an elderly householder and asked if she would let the child use her toilet.

The mother kept the pensioner talking and the child took some time to come out of the house. When the pair left, the pensioner discovered cash had been stolen.