Victim locked in shed by burglars

THERE are fears criminal gangs may once again be targeting homes along the country’s motorway corridors after a man living on his own was targeted by burglars for the second time in six weeks yesterday.

A man in his 50s was attacked and locked in a shed during an aggravated burglary at his farmhouse in Co Offaly during the early hours of yesterday morning.

Four men forced their way into his home at Glasderry Beg, Brosna, near the Offaly-Tipperary border, at around 2am. He was assaulted by the men as they took him from his home and forced him into the shed.

He lives alone but managed to escape from the shed and make his way to a neighbour’s house where the alarm was raised.

He was taken to hospital, where he was being treated for injuries which were described as non-life threatening.

During the attack the man suffered severe bruising and required stitches for cuts. The suspects fled the scene with a small sum of cash.

No arrests have been made but gardai are investigating the incident. The scene was sealed off yesterday for an examination as gardai carried out local enquiries.

Local Fine Gael councillor John Clendennen said the area had been targeted by burglars in the past.

He called for more resources to be allocated to prevent crime in rural areas, including the installation of technology capable or reading the licence plates on cars entering the motorway network.

“There are situations where criminal gangs are using motorways to ransack rural Ireland and then get safely back to their havens afterwards,” he said.

“We need collaboration between An Garda Siochana and local community groups and we need to see the resurrection of community gardai and their presence in towns and villages where they know everyone and they know what is going on.”

Gardai have appealed for anyone with information to contact Birr Garda Station or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.