Cigarettes and alcohol found in crashed getaway car after break-in at Kilkenny shop

A gang crashed a car in the centre of a county Kilkenny village soon after a break-in of a shop, then fled the scene leaving behind their haul.

Shortly before 3am this morning a shop in Johnstown, not far from Urlingford was broken into.

The burglars smashed a window to the side of the building to gain entry. They made off with a haul of stolen cigarettes and alcohol.

The gang then loaded their booty into a waiting car before jumping in and making their getaway.

But shortly afterwards, the driver of the getaway car lost control of the vehicle at The Square in Freshford and crashed. The thieves jumped out of the car and fled the scene by foot across nearby fields.

Gardai said the hapless thieves left behind “large quantities of alcohol and cigarettes” in the boot of the car.

Anyone with information about the incident or who may have witnessed anything suspicious in the area at the time is asked to contact Urlingford Garda Station on 056 883 1133.