Conmen posing as council staff targeting Kilkenny’s elderly

Men posing as county council workers have been targeting Kilkenny’s elderly trying to extract cash from them or rob their belongings.

Kilkenny County Council has issued an urgent appeal urging people to be vigilant to cold callers. And if residents encounter these men to immediately contact the gardai.

The men, three in all wearing hi-vis jackets, are calling mainly to the elderly living in social housing and council tenancies in an effort to gain entry or force a payment out of them.

A spokesperson for Kilkenny County Council said: “The Council have received reports in recent days that individuals and groups of up to three people wearing high-vis clothing have been calling to County Council tenancies claiming to be maintenance workers.

“In a number of cases elderly tenants have allowed access to their homes and have been asked for cash payment for minor maintenance works.

“This matter has been reported to An Garda Síochána.

“We urge all tenants to be vigilant and to remember that local authority staff or contractors calling to Council houses must show ID and will never request cash payment,” the spokesperson added.