Gardaí investigating two incidents of aggravated burglary

GARDAÍ are appealing for information about two incidences of aggravated burglary in which two elderly men were targeted.

On Wednesday 6 November at about 5.30pm, an elderly man in his 80s answered the door to his home about a mile outside the village of Clonegal.

Three to four men, all with their faces covered with scarves, burst into the man’s house in an attempt to rob the place. They tried to tie the man’s hands together, but instead opted to lock him in a bedroom while they ransacked the place. They took the man’s mobile phone and a torch and then fled the house. The phone was later found by gardaí in a nearby field.

The men were all aged in their 20s, had tight haircuts and spoke with Irish accents.

A similar incident happened in Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny, when the house of another elderly man was burgled by several intruders.

Investigating gardaí are trying to establish if there is a link between the two burglaries.

Superintendent Anthony Farrell told The Nationalist that it was “very concerning” that two elderly and vulnerable people were so ruthlessly targeted.

“It’s very concerning because of the age of the victims. Any crime where people are targeted is serious, but especially so when the victims are elderly, vulnerable people living on their own,” said Supt Farrell.

He’s asking people to be mindful of their family members and neighbours who are living on their own and to call in on them on a regular basis.

Gardaí are also looking for witnesses who may have spotted suspicious behaviour in the Clonegal or Castlecomer areas.

If so, please contact Carlow Garda Station on 059 9136620.