Thieves allegedly armed with a screwdriver were forced to flee their attempted burglary after brave south Dublin homeowners chased them out of the house.
The attempted break-in took place in Palmerstown in the early hours of Friday morning.
According to local Facebook group Palmerstown Neighbourhood Watch, two suspects approached the house in Glenaulin Green sussing out the car and garden before attempting to gain access inside.
The homeowner said: "They first attempted to open the door by pushing on the handle.
"They then took out a screwdriver, equipped with a small torch because it was dark, to push the door in.
"The alarm was on so they hesitated and were even close to stepping away before they eventually entered the house.
"Once inside, while the alarm was going off, they looked for keys to the car in the hallway."
The homeowners were alert and woke up with the sound of the alarm and faced with the thieves in their hallway, they ran them out of the house.
They added: "Local Garda were called and responded quickly to the event.
"Please let neighbours know to be cautious. Lock your hall door, put your alarm on and don't leave keys in the hallway."
A spokeswoman for Gardai said: "We are investigating a suspected burglary which occurred in a house in Glenaulin Green, Palmerstown, Co. Dublin on the 18th of October 2019 at approximately 5:00am."
She added: "It’s understood two males entered a home but fled when disturbed by the occupants.
No injuries were reported, no arrests have been made and investigations are ongoing."
