Issue Date: 01/10/2026
Short Term trends:
• Number of recorded residential burglaries continues to trend generally downwards in 2026 following previous reductions in 2025
2025 recorded residential burglaries -16% compared to 2024
• Recorded Residential burglaries -3% to end of Q2 2026 (30th June 2026) and remains at the same level during Q3 2026
• 550 recorded residential burglaries to end of August 2026 in the Northwestern Region equates to just over 2 residential burglaries per day across the Northwestern Region (10 counties)
• Just under 3,500 recorded residential burglaries to end of August 2026 equates to just over 14 burglaries per day across the country (26 counties)
• Significant convictions achieved against the Connors travelling Organised Crime Group in Sligo Circuit Court for burglaries across the Northwestern Region
Long Term Trends
• When comparing recorded residential burglary incidents from January to August 2015, the year Operation Thor commenced, to the same period (January to August) 2026, the level of recorded residential burglary has fallen by 72.2% .
• In 2015 up until the end of August there were nearly 12,600 residential burglaries recorded. This year, less than 3,500 burglaries have been recorded.
• In 2019, the average number of residential burglaries per month was 970. So far in 2026 the average number of residential burglaries is 437 per month.
• The data indicates a reduction of 53.3% since 2019 vs 2026
Modus Operandi
• There was an increase in entry through open (unsecured) doors and windows during the most recent Summer Phase.
• Data from the last 3 winter phases indicates that entry through an unsecured door occurs in 23.9% of residential burglary incidents
• Residential burglaries (78.8%) are most likely to occur during twilight and night-time hours (4pm – 8am)
• Jewellery/Accessories accounts for the highest volume of items stolen as well as the highest value of objects stolen with rings, watches and necklaces the most common items
• This is followed by tools, hardware and cash.
Operation THOR
An Garda Síochána, today 1st October 2026, commences the winter phase of its targeted operational activity, ‘Operation Thor’. This annual increased enforcement operation is aimed at preventing burglars from exploiting the reduced hours of daylight.
Residential burglary tends to be higher in winter. International evidence traditionally suggests a seasonal trend, a surge in burglaries of up to 20% is likely to arise in the winter months when daylight hours are at the lowest level.
First established in 2015, this operation targets organised criminal gangs and repeat offenders through co-ordinated crime prevention and intelligence-led enforcement activity.
• The Summer Phase of Operation Thor takes place between 1st April and 30th September each year.
• The Winter Phase of Operation Thor takes place between the 1st October and 31st March, of the following year.
Operation Thor is supported by the whole of An Garda Síochána under the direction of Assistant Commissioner, Organised and Serious Crime.
Today, 1st October 2026 Assistant Commissioner Angela Willis chaired a meeting of Operation Thor leads, Detective Superintendents, in each Garda Region supported by National and Specialist Units such as Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB), Garda National Bureau Criminal Investigation (GNBCI), Garda Síochána Analysis Service (GSAS), Garda Press Office, Crime Prevention, Garda Youth Diversion Bureau and Roads Policing.
Assistant Commissioner, Organised & Serious Crime, Angela Willis said:
"The significant reduction in residential burglary since Operation Thor began in 2015, is very encouraging and reflects the sustained work of Garda personnel across the country, particularly the additional effort being made within our Regions to prevent burglaries and target those responsible.
However, we know that the darker winter months traditionally bring an increased risk of burglary. Through the Winter Phase of Operation Thor, Gardaí will continue to focus on preventing these crimes, targeting repeat offenders and maintaining a visible policing presence in our communities.
We would also encourage people to take simple precautions at home, particularly ensuring that doors and windows are properly secured. Working together, we can build on the progress already made and continue to keep people safe in their homes and communities.”
Under the Garda Operating Model Divisional Serious Crime Units are supported by National Regional, Divisional Resources to target identified travelling Organised Crime Groups and other prolific offenders.
Case Study targeting Organised Crime Groups.
Under Operation Thor, An Garda Síochána continues to target organised criminal groups involved in burglaries, through intelligence-led investigations and cooperation between local Garda Divisions and specialist Regional and National units.
The securing of convictions against members of the Dublin-based Connors travelling Organised Crime Group (OCG) in April and July 2026 – sentences totalling 18 years’ imprisonment – represented a significant achievement for An Garda Síochána in dismantling a prolific burglary gang and tackling burglaries in the Garda North Western Region. Since the arrest and prosecution of this OCG, amongst other detections, there has been a significant reduction in residential burglaries across the Northwestern Region.
This travelling organised crime gang targeted rural homes and businesses across the country, including in Galway, Mayo, Roscommon, Sligo and Tipperary, taking advantage of the isolation of many properties away from larger population centres. Their crimes resulted in the closure of businesses and the loss of employment in communities.
Following a planned and intelligence-led operation in November 2024 involving collaboration between Garda Divisions in the North Western Region and specialist Regional and National Units, three men were intercepted driving a car in Kildare, having earlier that night committed burglaries in Galway and Mayo.
Items found in the car, as the occupants were making their way back to Dublin, included false registration plates, a communications signal blocking device, vehicle refuelling kits and cleaning chemicals in attempts to inhibit investigation and detection. Jewellery stolen in a burglary at a house in Galway was also recovered, along with a telescopic ladder, gloves, torches, a pry bar and pliers.
The extensive investigation involved innovative policing practices utilising the full range of investigative and operational skills from across the organisation. Significant work was undertaken to link the organised criminal gang to a multiplicity of vehicles and crimes which were committed on a countrywide basis by the Connors Organised Criminal Group.
Sentences totally 18 years were handed down on the three individuals at Sligo Circuit Court and Longford Circuit Court in April and July of 2026.
An Garda Síochána is sending a clear message – burglary and organised criminal activity will not be tolerated and we will continue to pursue and prosecute offenders.
Reporting Crime:
An Garda Síochána continues to appeal to any person the victim of any crime or attempted crime to report this to An Garda Síochána.
A crime not reported is a crime not investigated.
A crime not reported is a crime not recorded, and does not feed into analysis and operations carried out by An Garda Síochána.
Unreported perceived minor or attempted crimes could provide a wider picture of criminal activity and that information may prevent more serious harm or damage to another person or property.
Operation Thor focuses on five main areas:
1. Crime Prevention and Protecting Communities: Conducting high-visibility patrols and check-points at specific times of day in known ‘hot-spots’ to reduce the movement of burglars, gathering intelligence on known offenders and regularly communicating with those in the community about crime prevention measures.
2. Crime Investigation and Operational Activity: Ensuring that every burglary is thoroughly investigated to the highest possible standard, daily monitoring of crime data to assess any changes in the trend of burglaries, associated crimes and detection rates, and utilising this information to inform burglary prevention strategies
3. Working in Partnership: Continuing to work closely with all partner agencies in both local and national government as well as those in the community by way of providing crime prevention advice and a reassuring presence in the locality.
4. Education and Awareness: Interacting with young people and encouraging them to divert away from an involvement in crime/burglary. An Garda Síochána will continue to promote local community policing strategies via social media, and raise awareness of how to enhance the security of your home and private property i.e. An Garda Síochána’s ‘Lock Up/Light Up’ campaign.
5. Victim Support: Keeping the victim at the centre of the overall operational response and providing professional support and advice as well as regular case updates to every victim.
There are a number of steps that can help protect your home whether you are at home or going out:
• Turn on some lights (LED bulbs are more energy efficient than traditional bulbs)
• Use timer switches/motion detectors
• Lock all doors and windows
• Use a house alarm
• Store keys away from windows
• Don’t keep large amounts of cash or jewellery in the house.
An Garda Síochána has developed a Property App. This free mobile app is available to the public to index and record their personal property i.e. jewellery, electronic equipment, bicycles, laptops, cameras, farm machinery etc.
In the circumstance that the person then has their property stolen, they can use the in-app reporting tool to easily report the theft of any of the item(s) they have uploaded securely, to Gardaí.
An Garda Síochána App - Garda:
https://www.garda.ie/en/angardasiochanaapp/
An Garda Síochána promotes the practice of ‘property marking.’ Property Marking engagement days are held by local community policing units and regularly highlighted on Garda social media platforms.
An Garda Síochána - Property Marking:
https://www.garda.ie/!C4WFWO
An Garda Síochána ‘Lock Up Light Up’ campaign is An Garda Síochána's anti-burglary awareness campaign which encourages homeowners to protect their homes over the winter months, when burglaries traditionally tend to rise.
'Lock Up Light Up' campaign - Garda:
https://www.garda.ie/en/crime-prevention/-lock-up-light-up-campaign/
