Gardai are investigating after three men broke into an elderly man's home in a terrifying Meath burglary.
A man in a red car called to the door of the pensioner's home while pretending to deliver a parcel in the Tuberultan area of Kells on Tuesday morning. He said he didn't have a pen and needed a signature for the delivery.
The man then followed the pensioner into his home before two more men suddenly appeared and forced their way in. The trio then ransacked his bedroom looking for cash.
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The elderly man wasn't injured although he was left traumatised by the incident. A garda spokesperson said Kells gardai are looking for witness information on the incident.
They said: "If anyone was in the Tuberultan/Balrath area of Kells, approximately 3km out the Mullingar Road and noticed any vehicles or persons acting suspiciously, or anyone who may have dashcam footage, are asked to please contact Kells Garda Station on 046 9280820 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111."
Gardai have also issued the following tips on how to protect yourself from bogus callers:
• Are you expecting callers? If not, look out the window to see the caller(s), and make a note of theirs or their vehicle's description.
• Have you a viewer fitted in your door? You are safer behind a closed door.
• Have you a door chain/limiter fitted and the chain/ limiter on? If you must open the door, use the limiter. Consider installing a video doorbell which links to your mobile phone, that way you don’t have to open the door to speak to the caller.
• If you are going to open your door to callers, ensure your back door is locked before you do.
• If you are going to engage, ask for ID – a genuine caller won’t mind.
• Don’t be embarrassed to tell the caller to write their contact details down for you so you can make an appointment with them when you are comfortable and have decided to do so.
• Use recommended tradespeople, avoid using the services of cold callers.
• The basic rule is if you don’t know the person at your door, you shouldn’t let them in.
• If you are anxious, contact your local Garda Station.
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