Gardaí in Kilkenny and Carlow have launched investigations into two separate cases of “aggravated burglary” confirmed to have taken place in rural parts of the counties, where two elderly men were targeted.

The first incident occurred in Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny, on the evening of November 4, where at least three assailants, in disguise, broke into the home of an elderly man, who was at home at the time of the burglary.

An undisclosed sum of money was taken from the property during the course of the aggravated theft, before the men hastily left the residence at approximately 5:45p.m, in the direction of Coon, reportedly travelling in a dark coloured hatchback car.

The victim, a man in his 70s, was taken to St. Luke’s Hospital Kilkenny shortly after as a precaution. No arrests have been made.

Aggravated burglary

A similar incident involving an undisclosed number of culprits was confirmed to have taken place two days later, on November 6, at approximately 5:30p.m, in yet another home of an elderly gentleman, this time located in Clonegal, Co. Carlow.

No arrests have been made in relation to this incident either.

Currently, it is unknown to gardaí whether the two accounts of aggravated burglary were connected in any way, or were perpetrated by the same culprits.

However, gardaí from both Carlow and Kilkenny Garda Station are seeking help from the public who may be able to provide insight into the events in question, or from individuals who may have noticed suspicious activity in the respected areas on the evenings of November 4 and November 6.

Meanwhile, gardaí in Navan announced an ongoing investigation into the theft of a John Deere Gator HPX, which was taken from a shed on a premises in the Clonmagaddan, outside Navan.

The burglary was reported to have taken place on the Proudstown Road at approximately 5:00a.m last Tuesday (November 5), with the vehicle last sighted a little later at 5:36a.m, heading in the direction of Navan town.

Gardaí have appealed to members of the public who may have information on the burglary or on the whereabouts of the vehicle, to contact Navan Garda Station.