Thieves target Healy-Rae home in daytime raid

Gardaí are investigating a break-in at the home of the Kerry South TD Michael Healy-Rae on the outskirts of Kilgarvan. The incident occurred in broad daylight but the thieves fled after being disturbed.

The independent TD, who is outspoken on rural crime, last year called for a relaxation of gun laws to allow rural dwellers to protect themselves.

He was not at home and is currently in the Midwest region of the US, visiting relatives.

Kilgarvan is among nine villages in Kerry where Garda stations were closed in 2013, and the village is now overseen by Kenmare and Killarney.

The suspected robbery attempt occurred at lunchtime on Friday when a number of individuals whom gardaí believe were equipped with heavy tools arrived at the Healy-Rae home.

Cutting equipment was used to gain entry through the back of the house in what gardaí believe was a well-planned operation. However, investigators believe the thieves were disturbed by a house alarm.

Simultaneously, Mr Healy-Rae’s wife, Eileen, was on her way to Kenmare from the family post office and petrol station and noticed unusual activity. Garda say nothing was taken from the house. However, they are treating the matter seriously and are looking for a silver jeep.

The incident is one of a number of burglaries in south Kerry in recent weeks. Cars were broken into at Templenoe pier and money removed in recent days, while gardaí in Killarney have warned tourists to be vigilant at key spots.

Last year, Mr Healy-Rae, who is the licensed owner of three guns, called for a relaxation of gun laws for rural dwellers in the context of the closing down of Garda stations. He said swathes of west Cork and Kerry were without a police presence and were reliant on community alert.

People living in the countryside should to be able to apply for gun licences to protect themselves and their property, he said in April 2013.

He said changes in rural Ireland meant communities now have to police themselves against ever-more aggressive and armed criminals

It may be time to extend the gun licensing categories for personal protection of home and property, he said.

“I am speaking solely in the context of rural Ireland, which is very different to urban areas,” said Mr Healy-Rae.

In his own region of South Kerry and West Cork, vast tracts from Lauragh to Kenmare to Castletownbere are now without protection, the Independent TD said at the time.