We’re praying hard as Pat fights for life
Village ‘sickened’ after 83-year-old critically injured in raid
SHOCKED villagers are praying for an 83-year-old Co Tyrone grandmother as she fights for her life after burglars ransacked her house.
Police believe Aughnacloy pensioner Pat Davidson (83) may have fallen from the upstairs bedroom window of her house (left) in a bid to escape.
Mrs Davidson was left for dead in the garden of her home at Sydney Street after discovering intruders in her home on Tuesday night. Police are treating it as attempted murder and believe it may be linked to three other nearby robberies that day.
Presbyterian minister Rev Ian McKee said the community had been sickened by the crime, and people “are praying hard for her and the family”.
A CO Tyrone grandmother is in a critical condition after suffering a fractured spine, skull and pelvis during a “depraved” burglary.
Pat Davidson (83) was left for dead in the garden of her home at Sydney Street in Aughnacloy by four intruders on Tuesday night.
Police say a local man disturbed four males in the property around 9pm before finding Mrs Davidson lying outside beneath an open upstairs window.
Officers believe the victim may have fallen from the bedroom window while trying to escape as her house was ransacked.
Paramedics treated her at the scene shortly afterwards before rushing her to hospital.
Police are treating it as attempted murder and believe it may be linked to three other robberies that day in the border village, Ballygawley and Seskinore.
A black car was seen leaving Sydney Road on to Moore Street following the assault, with a similar vehicle also seen at two of the other burglaries.
Mrs Davidson is a respected member of Aughnacloy Presbyterian Church and runs a poultry business.
The church’s minister Rev Ian McKee said the local community was “shocked and sickened” by the cowardly crime.
“This is a very godly lady in her 80s, nobody deserves anything like this,” he said.
“I visited her in intensive care and she has a long road ahead of her.
“I think everybody is reeling from what happened.
“Her husband (Billy) died 15 years ago and her two boys Jonathan and Wesley came up through the church as well.
“She’s very well-known and respected in the community and she was still very active at her age in looking after her poultry business.”
He added: “I spoke to one of her sons and it’s very hard for them to come to terms with.
“We want to be very positive and are praying hard for her and the family. What’s happened has happened, so we have to leave the powers that be to sort the other things out but our main concern is for her to get well.”
Addressing those responsible, he said: “It just beggars belief that someone would do something like this to anybody, but especially to an elderly lady. I just hope that in time they will see the error of their ways. Sadly, this is all too common.”
A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: “This has left us all really shocked. Nothing like this happens in this area. It’s a very quiet and friendly place to live. Pat is a lovely woman, she is very friendly and still very active. We hope she makes a full recovery in hospital. We can’t believe what happened to her.”
Facing Sydney Street is St James’ Church of Ireland, where Rev Glen West urged residents to remain vigilant.
“This is upsetting for the whole community.
“We hear stories about breakins on a regular basis and it’s very disconcerting for everyone,” he said.
DUP leader Arlene Foster, who is an MLA for the area, described the incident as “depraved”.
“Their actions are impossible to fathom,” she said.
“No doubt this will have been a terrifying experience for the woman involved, especially since it took place within a quiet area.
“Coming to terms with an incident like this will be very difficult.”
With the recent spate of burglaries in the area, she urged the PSNI to robustly investigate the matter and for the public to report any suspicious activity.
Sinn Fein MLA Colm Gildernew added: “There is no place for attacks like this in our society. It is extremely concerning as there were similar burglaries in the area that night.
“It was a disgusting incident and the community in Aughnacloy are genuinely shocked about what has happened.”
Ulster Unionist MLA Rosemary Barton said she was “absolutely disgusted” by what happened.
“These are clearly very dangerous people who must be caught,” she said.
“People have a right to feel safe in their own homes without fear of anyone causing them harm and my thoughts are with the lady who was injured and I hope she makes a full recovery.
“I know that the police are treating the incident as attempted murder, and once these individuals are caught it is imperative that the courts impose sentences that fit the seriousness of this crime. We simply cannot have people like this roaming the countryside.”
Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy said: “We know that there were three other burglaries in this general area.
“We want to reassure the public. There is no indication that these men specifically targeted an elderly person.
“We would appeal for anyone with dash cameras to check their footage. We also appeal for these four men to make themselves known to police.”
Information can be passed to police in Dungannon by dialling 101, quoting reference 1218 of January 23, or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.