A terrified teenage girl locked herself in a bathroom as a balaclava-wearing raiders ransacked her South Dublin home.
Gardai are on high alert after a string of terrifying break-ins around the Foxrock and Cabinteely areas, and have warned that an organised crime gang are targeting plush homes.
The recent incident happened on Torquay Road in Foxrock and the balaclava-clad burglars managed to get away - though it's understood that the raid was captured on CCTV.
There have been "numerous" break-ins of a similar nature around the Carrickmines and Cabinteely areas over the past two weeks, according to local page Cabinteely Life.
On Saturday night in Grange Park some would-be thieves smashed a window before fleeing after a jogger spotted them and alerted gardai.
Some children were also seen in the area checking car doors.
The Grange Park incident was one of two on the night as there was also a report of three men wearing balaclavas breaking into a house on Brighton Square.
Last week two men were also seen ripping a house alarm off a wall on Churchview Way before being disturbed.
On January 4 another house on Hainault Road was targeted but the owners were home and the thugs fled.
On January 3 a home in Doonsalla Park was opened with a crowbar despite it being 7pm in the evening with the occupants home.
Gardai have advised locals to be wary as an organised gang have been targeting the area.
The group are said to be dangerous and should not be approached if seen.
