A Garda operation was under way over the weekend extending across three Border villages in the Republic after several homes were targeted by raiders and a large number of valuables, including jewellery and electrical items, were stolen. Small sums of cash were also taken.
The gang targeted homes in the Co Monaghan villages of Glaslough, Castleshane and Clontibret. Gardaí said in most cases the raiders gained entry to the unoccupied premises by forcing their way through a back door.
A Garda spokesman said the raiders had been watching the houses, and may have been operating from across the Border. Gardaí appealed to anyone who may have noticed suspicious activity in the areas in question in recent days to contact gardaí at Monaghan.