Man charged over burglary at Athlone shop

A 20-year-old man has appeared in court after being charged in relation to a burglary of a convenience store at the Crescent, Athlone, in the early hours of last Friday morning.

It's alleged that the man gained entry to the Nearby shop at the Crescent by smashing a glass panel on the front door with a bollard, before stealing a number of items including cigarettes and the shop's cash register.

A passerby contacted Gardai after spotting the damaged door and items strewn around inside the shop.

A spokesperson for Athlone Garda Station said the accused was subsequently arrested and brought to the station where he was detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.

He was later charged and brought before a sitting of Mullingar District Court on Friday.

The Athlone Garda spokesperson said the bulk of the items that were stolen have been recovered.

Separately, Gardai were called to the scene of a vehicle fire on the Roscommon side of the N6 Athlone Relief Road on Sunday evening. The engine of a van went on fire near junction 13. No injuries were reported.