Pair held over armed raids targeting elderly victims

TWO suspects have been arrested after allegedly pulling a gun on a man aged in his 90s and a woman in her 70s during two burglaries in Co. Cavan.

Both victims were left terrified by the robbers during a crime spree aimed at the elderly in Ballyjamesduff. Both were ‘deeply traumatised’ a Garda source said.

The drama unfolded shortly after 7pm on Sunday, when a man and woman forced their way into the home of a woman aged in her 70s. They showed her their gun, threatened her and demanded cash. The Irish Daily Mail understands that the two culprits fled with €400 and some jewellery. The female victim was later able to identify the vehicle they were travelling in and assist gardaí.

Minutes after this first incident, the same pair allegedly carried out another burglary in the same town in southeastern Co. Cavan, targeting a man in his 90s.

In this second incident, the pair allegedly pointed their handgun at the elderly man. He handed over all his cash, which amounted to just €50.

The alarm was raised and local gardaí later arrested a man and woman – who are related to each other and from Dublin – in the nearby town of Virginia.

The Mail understands the man is aged 27, while his female relative is 35 years old.

The suspects both have the same address in Dublin 8.

The pair were arrested and brought to Bailieboro Garda Station, where they remained last night. They are being detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.

Gardaí recovered the cash and jewellery stolen in the two raids.

They also found more cash, leading officers to believe that the pair may have been involved in a ‘burglary spree’ and that other homes may have been targeted.

A technical and forensic examination of the scenes has been carried out. The Garda press office said in a statement that investigations into the matter ‘are ongoing’.