Elderly lady injured in burglary in Bray
AN ELDERLY woman received distressing injuries during a burglary at her Greenpark Road home last Thursday evening.
The lady, who is in her 80s, was out watering plants in her front garden at approximately 7 p.m. when she noticed a young couple arguing nearby.
The male ran off and disappeared out of sight but when she returned to her house, she found him inside.
The woman’s grandson said that the man was making off with her handbag but she grabbed the handle.
Gardaí said it was not clear exactly how her injuries occurred in the ensuing struggle. The elderly lady suffered a black eye, marks on her arms and bruises on her back.
The man made off with the handbag.
The woman would dearly love to get her bag back because of a number of items inside.
‘There were a few bits in it she would love to have back which would be of no use to the people who took them,’ said her grandson.
They include her pension book, medals from Lourdes, her bus pass, photographs, a small chain and other items. There was a sum of around €50 but she is more concerned with getting her personal items back.
The family is appealing to people in the area to check their gardens and hedges and to keep an eye out for the bag, which may have been discarded as the thief fled.
After the incident in her home, the lady was on the ground for a while before she was able to get up and and go call for help. Neighbours came in and phoned the gardaí. The grandson said that they arrived very quickly and their assistance was excellent. Since the incident, neighbours have taken care to look in on the lady regularly.
While shaken by the burglary, the lady is determined not to lose her home. She did stay with her son the first night, after being released from hospital.
Her grandson said that the lady is very independent. She is active within the community and still volunteering locally. She has lived peacefully in the area for more than 50 years.
He said that his grandmother described the culprit as a man in his early 20s, wearing a white baseball cap and navy hoodie.
Anyone who saw suspicious activity in the area last Thursday evening, or who finds the stolen bag, is asked to call Bray Garda Station on 01 6665300.