Navan business burgled for the second time this year
Owners of a Navan business that has been burgled for the second time this year, are calling for better garda resources for Navan.
The Freshly Chopped store on Metges Lane was broken into on Monday night, leaving owners Leann and James Power counting the cost yet again.
A man threw a brick through the glass door and took the till, which didn't contain any cash.
"He broke the glass, damaged the door frame and damaged the till. The tiles on the floor were damaged when he threw the brick," Leann explains.
"Once again we are left to foot the bill for this thugs behaviour.
"There was no money in the till, after the last break in, we make sure there is nothing in it".
The attack on their premises follows on from a similar incident in January which Leann and James thousands in damages.
Just three weeks ago the owners met with the Minister for Justice Helen McEntee about concerns over antisocial behaviour in the area.
"Unfortunately there is a lack of Gardaí in the area which gives these thugs free roam of the street." says Leeann.
Leann and James are now pleading with the Minister to step up and take action to increase Gardaí in her own county.
"Dublin City is not the only place with major antisocial behaviour problems, Navan’s crime rate has rose dramatically in recent times and with the lowest Garda to people ratio in the country there seems to be no end, especially for local business owners."
In the incident last January the burglar got away with a small sum of cash after smashing a rock through the front door of their premises and snatched the till's cash box.
"Someone been arrested, but when will the terror stop?"
Leann says business is already challenging due to the knock on effect of the roadworks in the town as well as issues around anti-social behaviour on Metges Lane.
"We are open just a year and a half and we've had two break-ins this year along. It is very disheartening, especially for our staff.
"It is making life very difficult. Business is tough enough with price increases in food and electricity. We suffered for months with the roadworks and now this again," she said.