CCTV: Victim speaks out after Clondalkin thieves steal his livelihood

A Clondalkin native and self employed gardener has blasted thieves who stole a ride-on lawnmower, which is his livelihood, from an apartment block in the area on Tuesday night.

Used to maintain the gardens and common areas at the Millpark apartments on the Old Nangor Road, the red Castle Garden lawnmower is worth in the region of €2,000, but the owner says it will most likely be sold for €300 by the robbers.

Wishing to remain anonymous, he told the Echo that thieves armed with a crowbar accessed the complex over a fence located along Black Lane, which runs along the side of the complex

They then broke into a locked shed and stole the mower.

This latest robbery combined with the theft of hedge trimmers and other material worth €1,200 last year, will, according to the local gardener, make it “very hard” to make a living as he believes chances of getting it back are “slim.”

Unbeknownst to the thieves, upgraded CCTV cameras, which were installed by a new management company looking after the facility, captured the whole robbery.

The footage shows the thieves keeping lookout at the apartment building before attempting to force the lawnmower out through a pedestrian gate.

Moments later the main gates open and the thieves, not fazed by the security van entering, make their way out and down Black Lane with the stolen property.

The security officer immediately alerted Gardai, and the owner of the lawnmower said he understood why the officer did not intervene as he was outnumbered and the thieves were armed with at least one crowbar.

The owner later followed the trail of grass left behind by the mower to Dunawley Drive where the trail stopped.

According to local sources major concerns have been raised in the past in relation to security in the complex, while it is thought planning permission is required to heighten the rear wall where the thieves gained entry.

Gardai in Clondalklin have confirmed to the Echo that they are currently investigating the incident and anyone with information can contact them on 01-6667600.