A 77-year-old retired farmer was attacked in an aggravated burglary in Co. Offaly last night, with Gardai currently investigating the incident.
The farmer was set upon by three men in his home in Kildangan, Durrow, Co. Offaly, at approximately 8:00pm yesterday evening (Monday, December 18), according to an Garda Siochana.
A Garda spokesperson revealed that three masked men entered the house – located around 5km outside Tullamore – demanding money and assaulted the man.
All three men are described as being 5ft 6in in height, in their 20s and spoke with a local accent.
The man was treated for shock and minor injuries and was taken to the Midlands Regional Hospital, where he was later released.
Investigations are continuing.
Gardai are appealing for witnesses who might have been in the area or travelling on the main Tullamore to Clara road between 7:30pm and 8:30pm to contact Tullamore Garda station on: 057-9327600 or the Garda Confidential line on: 1800-666111.
Image source: Durrow Community Alert Facebook page
It is believed a dark-coloured saloon car, possibly a Volkswagen Passat, Audi or BMW may have been used in the incident, according to a brief post put up on the Durrow Community Alert Facebook page.
Clonmel burglary and assault
Meanwhile, Gardai have today (Tuesday, December 19) charged two men in relation to a separate aggravated burglary in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.
The burglary occurred on Sunday, December 17, at a house in Highfield Grove, Clonmel at approximately 3:00am.
The two men entered the house armed with weapons and assaulted two men – one aged in his 60s, the other in his late teens – and a woman, also in her 60s. The two injured men were brought to South Tipperary General Hospital with non life-threatening injuries. The woman was uninjured.
They have since been charged and were scheduled to appear before Clonmel District Court this morning at 10:30am.