Cowards who prey on elderly must pay dearly

THE savage violence visited on elderly people living alone has become endemic in our society. The murder of Rosie Hanrahan, a widow living alone, has been followed by a spate of sickening and senseless attacks. Gardaí are also investigating a brutal burglary at the home of an elderly man in rural Co Offaly.

The 77-year-old was battered by not one but three men – further proof, as if it was needed, that the gang is where the coward will always run to try and hide.

There was a time when such crimes would be greeted by revulsion and outrage. Today, they have become so commonplace that they are almost accepted as inevitable. Somebody knows exactly who these attackers are. They are living with people and are receiving support and protection. No deprivation, culture, notion of entitlement or degree of alienation gives anyone free rein to break into an elderly person’s home to maim and terrorise.

One elderly man died from a heart attack that was brought on by the fright of intruders.

These gutless thugs employ the power of violence and exploit loopholes in the law to target and swoop where they will. If gardaí and the law claim to be doing all they can, then it clearly isn’t good enough or else these criminals would not be able to strike when they wish.

A few years ago, two brothers were bludgeoned to death by a burglar – one with a shovel, the other with his walking stick. To what stage of depraved, heartless cruelty must we sink before society sends out a signal that those who murder and prey on the elderly will find no succour or sanctuary and that they will be hunted down and locked away for good?

Some day we may all find ourselves elderly and dependent on others to protect us.

We cannot simply surrender to this escalating cycle of pure viciousness.