Two men have appeared before court today and have been sentenced to two years imprisonment each.
Gardaí say the men called to an elderly woman's home in West Cork, and pressurised her into buying 12 chainsaws, 11 generators, 7 power washer and assorted tools which she had no use for and did not want.
Brothers 39-year-old Thomas O'Driscoll, of Boherbue, Rathkeale, and 38-year-old Patrick O'Driscoll of Wolfburgess East, Rathkeale, Co Limerick, both pleaded guilty to theft and deception charges.
Gardaí hace since issued an appeal to the public and say if anyone hears about bogus traders in their locality to make their elderly or vulnerable neighbours aware and also to contact gardaí so they can put in place additional patrols.
Gardaí are also advising people who open the door to ‘cold callers’, to apply the chain or door limiter before opening the door and contact them immediately if they suspect they, or someone they know, has been the victim of deception.
