Elderly residents were targeted in a burglary and theft at residences in Castlelyons and Mitchelstown at the weekend.

The home of an elderly man iin Ballinwillin, Mitchelstown was broken into on Saturday evening between  pm and 8.15pm while he was out at Mass. Upon his return he noticed the front door open and discovered his house had been entered. Entry was gained through the kitchen window. The house was ransacked and a substantial sum of cash taken.

The theft from a man in his ’80s in Castlelyons took place at 7.40pm on Sunday evening. Two men, posing as Gardai from Fermoy, called to his home shortly after he’d returned after being out. They searched rooms in the house before making off with a small sum of cash. One of the males is described as being in his ’40s with thinning grey hair and of stocky build. He was wearing a yellow hi-viz jacket. The second is thought to have been in his teens, of strong build, with black hair. It’s believed they were travelling in a grey-coloured car.

Following the Mitchelstown incident, Gardai are warning residents to demand ID before admitting anyone in to their home. A community spokesman in Castlelyons said people in the community must be more aware of happenings in their areas.

“We should not hesitate to contact the Gardai on foot of any suspicious activity or vehicles or individuals in our own area, or even if we suspect something while driving along and see something that simply doesn’t look right.”

He said it was ‘an all-time low’ that elderly people no longer feel safe in their homes and urged everyone to be more vigilant.

“We must protect our elderly and those living alone. Even if the person was proved wrong, there’d be no harm done, he pointed out. It would be far worse to spend the rest of your life regretting not making that call,” he said.