There was a six-fold inrease in burglaries in the Fermoy Garda Division area during the summer months, members of the Joint Policing Committee were told at their meeting on Tuesday night.

12 burglaries were reported to Gardai between June 1st to August 31st this year, up from just two for the same period last year. It was acknowledged at the meeting that it was a problem and one which could do with more public awareness.

Policing committee member, Cllr Noel McCarthy said afterwards that it is a big concern.  “The community has a role to play in remaining vigilant to anything untoward happening in their neighbourhood and reporting any suspicious activity they notice,” he said.

Cllr Tadhg O’Donovan, also a member, agreed. “It’s of great concern to everybody that this has escalated from two to 12 cases. There’s no doubt but that these break-ins are being carried out by people that have local knowledge of homeowners’ movements and habits. People will have to change their attitudes from complacency to vigilance,” he stressed.