Bungling thieves block road in Offaly after failed theft attempt

Bungling thieves are believed to have stolen a trailer and large machine which ended up blocking a rural road in Offaly on Monday night. 

The Ifor Williams trailer and large machine belong to Irish Rail. It’s understood they were stolen from an Irish Rail yard at Cloneygowan at around 7.30pm on Monday, February 17. 

Gardaí were alerted to the incident when they received a call about machinery discovered blocking a road at Bogtown, Cloneygowan, Co Offaly at around 9.20pm. 

Gardaí suspect the machinery had been loaded onto the trailer but fell off in the middle of the rural road as the thief, or thieves, hadn’t secured it properly. The trailer has yet to be located and gardaí have issued an appeal for information. 

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage of a trailer being towed in the area on Monday. Anyone with information is asked to contact Portlaoise Garda Station on 057 867 4100.