Gardai in Offaly and Laois urge people not to keep large sums of money at home following 'very nasty crime'

Gardai in Offaly and Laois are urging people to use banks and not to keep large sums of money in their homes.

They are also asking people to watch out for elderly neighbours, friends and relatives and to advise them not to keep large sums of money at home.  

The warning follows the theft of money from an elderly man in Laois. Gardai confirmed conmen posing as Gardai managed to convince the man to show them where he kept his money, which they then stole.

“It’s a very nasty crime, you are preying on somebody that is trusting in the State’s authority,” Gardai said. 

Gardai appealed to anybody that does keep cash at home to get into the habit of using a bank or credit union. “If you don’t have it they can’t take it,” gardai explained. 

Gardai say they are aware of an increase of this type of criminality.  They urged people to have a conversation with family, friends and neighbours particularly those that may be more vulnerable to alert  them to the danger. 

“Gardaí are aware of an increase in the number of incidents of people impersonating Gardaí. Recent incidents of this type involve the ‘conmen’ requesting to check cash held by the injured party as a result of an increase in counterfeit cash circulating in the area, or that the ‘conmen’ need to check the security of the house as a result of an increase in burglaries in the area,” they explained on social media. 

They advised that An Garda Síochána will not cold-call to a house. If they do call to a house for some reason they will normally be in uniform and they will likely be driving a marked patrol car. Gardai will have identification and will be happy to wait while you call a local garda station to confirm their identity. 

“Should you have any concerns about the person at the door, you should not answer the door even if they are purporting to be a Garda,” they stated on social media. 

Genuine Gardaí will always provide details to allow you to confirm their identity with the local Garda Station and will be patient while you choose to do so, Gardai added.