A spate of burglaries in north Dublin has left locals fearing for their lives after a woman was made a prisoner in her own home as thugs ransacked her property.
A garda hunt is currently underway after the person was trapped in a room in the house on Strand Road in Portmarnock by five masked men.
The helpless woman was locked in the room for a "considerable amount of time" before being found by a relative.
And Dublin Live can reveal that the quiet patch and surrounding northside areas have been rocked by a spate of burglaries in the last 48 hours.
A Garda spokesman confirmed to Dublin Live that there had been "five burglaries in the past two days in the Malahide area".
He added: "Two of these were in Malahide, two were in Portmarnock and one took place in Feltrim. We're warning people to please protect your property."
Thankfully, the woman who was targeted in the latest break-in did not receive any injuries following the traumatic incident.
A garda spokesman said: "Gardaí are appealing for information regarding their investigation into an incident of burglary and of false imprisonment that occurred at a house on the Strand Road area of Portmarnock, Co.Dublin on January 9th 2020.
"During the incident, five masked individuals entered the property and locked an occupant into a room as they searched throughout the house.
"After the five individuals left, the occupant remained locked into this room for a considerable amount of time until later discovered by a relative. No injuries were reported.
"Gardaí are appealing for anyone with information, particularly any road users who happened to be travelling on the Coast Road between Baldoyle and Portmarnock between 6.30pm and 8pm on the 9th January to contact Gardaí."
Members of the public can contact Malahide Garda station on 01 666 4600, the Garda confidential line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.
