Dubliners urged to be vigilant over bogus council workers

DUBLIN CITY:DUBLIN CITY Council has urged householders to remain vigilant to "bogus callers" using the current water problems to gain access to houses, following several burglaries in the city.

A number of groups have been targeting areas of the city in recent days posing as council workers checking water pressure to gain access to houses.

A council spokesman yesterday said it would be unusual for council staff to require access to people’s homes as the equipment used to detect pressure and leaks was used externally.

However, in any circumstances where access to a house was needed, a council worker would have identification and it was likely that a vehicle marked “Water Services Division of Dublin City Council” would be outside, he said.

Houses in Dublin 8 were being targeted by two men wearing high visibility jackets, similar to those worn by council workers, seeking to get into houses. Two other men were operating in Coolock and are known to have robbed at least one elderly resident.

In Artane, two men and a woman had also carried out robberies while posing as council workers. In most cases the thieves ask the householder to stay in the kitchen and watch the flow from a running tap while they go through the other areas of the house.

The council said it was difficult to give advance warning of which areas would be without water as new leaks and bursts were being detected on an ongoing basis and these areas could therefore experience a sudden interruption to supply as repairs were being done.

Also when the council reduced water pressure in an area, water cuts did not necessarily follow as supply depended on a number of factors, including whether the house was on high or low ground and how much water was being used by the household.

However, some areas which have been without water are likely to experience further problems today. These include: Griffith Avenue and surrounds from Mobhi Road to Drumcondra Road; Clonshaugh to south of Artane running east/west from the M1 to the coast; Finglas; Poppintree; Oakwood and Jamestown; and Ballyfermot.

The council has urged residents to avoid if possible using appliances which need large amounts of water such as washing machines and dishwashers. The spokesman said the council could not advise if any machines would be damaged if they were used during times of low water pressure, but recommended householders call a plumber or installer or consult the manufacturers guide if concerned.