Heartless burglars broke into the former home of an elderly woman days after her burial – only to find that some of her relatives were still staying in what they thought was an empty house days after her funeral had taken place.

The robbery-gone-wrong occurred in the Headford area last weekend, according to local Cllr Andrew Reddington as he claimed that professional thieves were trawling sites like RIP.ie to identify their marks – and swooping when they think the properties are vacant.

The Fine Gael councillor said that this attempted robbery came just days after the person’s funeral – but was foiled when relatives staying at the house interrupted them and they swiftly left the scene.

“The woman who died lived alone and they would have suspected that her home was empty. When the relatives popped their head out the window, the two lads ran,” he said.

“I’ve always suspected that burglars are watching RIP.ie and the likes and targeting the houses of people who have died and their relatives – this just confirms it,” said Cllr Reddington.

He said the house in question, which was targeted in broad daylight, was surrounded by other properties in the town, and there was “no other reason it would be targeted”.

Gardaí had been called, he said, and he had spoken to the investigating members over the weekend.

“Where this house was, there is no way in the world it would be robbed on a normal day – it’s on the main road with plenty of neighbours around.

“It’s open season for these burglars because all the details are on these websites – addresses and times they will be out,” Cllr Reddington continued.

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