Teenager dies in Belfast crash in van stolen from outside Dundalk

A teenage boy has died after a van which had been stolen just outside Dundalk crashed in Belfast last night.

The 17-year-old was killed after the silver Transit van, which had been stolen from alongside the N1 near Carrickarnon earlier that evening, collided with a barrier on the M1 between the Blaris and Saintfield junctions at around 10.50pm.

The teenager has yet to be named although the PSNI have seized a red Ford Mondeo from an address in Lagmore, west Belfast. It is believed it was travelling with the van at the time of the accident.

The PSNI have appealed for anyone who saw either vehicle before the crash to contact them.

Warning issued over Dundalk water meter scammers targeting the elderly

A warning has been issued to elderly people in the area regarding scammers who are targeting them at present claiming to be installing water meters.

Those behind the scam are said to be two men and three women, who are driving a silver/grey Ford Mondeo with partial registration 07 LH. The vehicle is also said to have an orange light at the back.

The five are said to be calling to old people saying they’re working on water meters. They then charge them €300 for the job.

One of the men is said to have his hair shaved at the sides, combed back at the top, with a long piece of hair at the back.

At least one elderly man in Marian Park, who is blind, has already handed over €130 to these individuals this week, although thankfully he did not have the full €300 there at the time. The man later called back for the remaining cash but was sent away by a relative.

The granddaughter of the man in question said the elderly should be encouraged not to answer their doors to these people.

Gardaí seek help in locating two-man gang suspected of local thefts

Gardaí are seeking assistance in locating a two man gang, who are suspected of carrying out two robberies at local businesses last week.

The duo, armed with what appeared to be a hand gun, entered the Backhouse Pharmacy on Clanbrassil Street last Thursday at 3.45pm before threatening staff and demanding that they hand over pills.

They then made off with some tablets, as well as cash from the till, and fled the scene in a dark-coloured Ford Mondeo.

The same pair are suspected to have made an attempted robbery at Arthur’s Shop on the Newry Road the previous evening.

A man wearing a white facemask and gloves, who was carrying what appeared to be a small handgun, entered the shop and threatened staff around 5.10pm.

He fled without getting anything and sped off in a Ford Mondeo with false Northern Irish number plates, which was driven by another male.

The man is described as being 5ft 10in tall, of average build and was wearing a black hoodie and blue jeans.

Anyone with information on the pair are asked to contact Dundalk Garda Station at 042-9335577.