Gardaí are investigating after an elderly woman and her two adult sons were terrorised in an attack on their home in County Roscommon.
Investigators said the aggravated burglary and assault happened in Ballintubber, County Roscommon in the early hours of yesterday morning.
A group of up to six men broke into the home and locked the 94-year-old woman in a room with her two sons while they ransacked at the property, which is a business attached to a home.
The men were reportedly armed with screwdrivers and other weapons.
One of the sons, a man in his 60s, was attacked but did not need medical attention.
The gang made off with a small amount of cash and some jewellery.
Roscommon Councillor Anthony Waldron said the community is in shock.
“Older people are absolutely in shock that something like this could happen in Ballintubber and I believe that more of this will happen unless we are going to get tough on crime,” he said.
He said the Garda station in Ballintubber closed a number of years ago.
“We were making a strong argument that it should be kept open because they were serving a very, very big area,” he said.
“When you had the local garda, they always knew what was happening on the ground and people cooperated with them and that presence is invaluable on the ground.
“I think Government should take a fresh look at all of this again.”
Castlerea Gardai have launched an investigation, but no arrests have been made as of yet.
Investigators are keen to speak with anyone who was in Ash Park, Ballintubber, between 10pm Sunday and 1am Monday.
They are particularly interested in talking to drivers who were in the area and may have dash-cam footage.
