Gardaí probe audacious break-in to Mayo hotel

AN audacious break-in to Westport Country Lodge, Aughagower, is being investigated by gardai.

A safe containing cash and cheques was taken in the break-in which occurred around 3 a.m on Wednesday morning last, December 12.

Management at the well known venue have posted CCTV footage taken by an exterior camera.

The footage shows a masked male individual breaking into the hotel around 3 a.m emerging with a safe about seven minutes later.

As well as the safe, an office chair was also taken from the building.

The thief lifted the heavy safe onto the chair and then proceeded to move away from the hotel beyond the range of the camera lens.

No escape vehicle was visible in the footage.

It is believed it was parked away from the hotel which is located in a secluded area some miles distant from Westport.

Hotel management have posted video images on Facebook in the hope that it might lead to the raider being identified and prosecuted at a later stage.