‘DESPICABLE’ ATTACK ON ELDERLY FARMER

A LOCAL pensioner is recovering having been assaulted and threateneed by a gang in his home on Tuesday night.

A major garda investigation is under way into the attack on the farmer who lives alone in Carroreigh, just off the old New Ross to Wexford road.

The man was at home when a gang arrived at some time between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. The men demanded money from the man and got a small amount of cash before leaving the farmhouse, locking the door behind them so the occupant couldn’t leave and taking his phone which was later recovered nearby.

The old man had to leave through a rear window. He made his way to a neighbour’s house on foot. Gardaí arrived at the scene shortly afterwards, taking the man to Wexford General Hospital fo treatment ot his injuries which were described as minor.

Superintendent John McDonald described the attack as despicable, saying the farmer was left badly shaken by the incident.

‘When he eventually got to his neighbour’s house he was very traumatised. Thankfuly there weer no serious injuies. They had threatened to tie him up, but didn’t once they got all the cash he had as he didn’t have money stored in the house,’ Supt McDonald said.

The man was assessed at Wexford General Hospital and released after examinations that night.

‘As with anyone in a situation like this he was very traumatised. He stayed with his neighbours over night and they did a great job shletering him and looking after him.’

Meanwhile the scene at the farmhouse was preserved and an extensive technical examination was carried out. Door to door enquiries took place on Wednesday and the elderly man was interviewed at length by gardaí.

‘He is a resilient man who pans to return to his home. We are keeping an open mind in relation to the case. It is the third aggravated burglary we have had in my time. We’ve caught one, but we did not have enough to go on in the first incident. This was a despicable attack on a vulnerable person on his own in his own home private dwelling.’

He said someone with prior knowledge of the location carried out the attack.

Supr McDonald is appealing for anyone who saw a speeding car or a suspicous vehilce in the Caroriegh, Adamstown, -Camross areas on the night and in the days and weeks leading up to last Tuesday night to contact gardaí in New Ross on 051 426030 or on the Garda confidential Line on 1800666111.

He is also looking for anyone with CCTV living along the old Wexford road to contact gardaí.