Elderly targeted in spate of violent burglaries on estate
ELDERLY residents in a gated housing facility have been left living in fear after three aggravated burglaries in the space of only four days.
The Irish Independent can reveal that in the latest attack an 87-year-old man was woken up, bound with cable ties and threatened at knife-point while two thugs ransacked his property and escaped with a significant four-figure sum of cash.
The violent raid happened shortly after midnight yesterday at a gated estate on Ballygall Road East, Glasnevin, in Dublin.
The intruders escaped through the pensioner’s bedroom window but it is unclear how they gained entry to the property.
Officers believe that minutes before the aggravated burglary, the two-man armed gang had also targeted a 65-year-old man in the same facility.
He was also threatened with knives before being tied up after the criminals forced their way into his home, threatening him and demanding money.
It is understood he remained tied up for almost three hours before he managed to raise the alarm.
All that was taken from this man were prescription pills and a small amount of cash.
The same vicious gang is suspected of being responsible for another aggravated burglary in the complex at around 9.30pm last Friday, when a 69-yearold resident suffered fractured ribs after being attacked by a knife-wielding man.
Kicked
“He answered a knock to the door, was confronted by a lone male armed with a knife. He punched and kicked him black and blue – it is suspected he broke his ribs and caused other serious damage to his legs and arms,” a source told the Irish Independent.
In that case, the attacker fled with more than €1,000 worth of electronic equipment owned by the victim.
All three burglaries are being investigated by Santry gardaí and no arrests have yet been made. Sources say officers believe the robberies are linked but gardaí have not yet issued descriptions of the attackers.
“This is a new low. A gentleman in his bed asleep – 87 years old – in what is meant to be a safe gated community – and he is robbed of all the money he has,” a senior source said last night.
After being threatened at knife-point and then tied up, it is understood the pensioner freed himself and contacted emergency services.
However, it is understood that it took his 65-year-old neighbour a number of hours to free himself.
The shocking attacks on the vulnerable men occurred at a gated estate on Ballygall Road East, which is run by an organisation called Fold Ireland.
Fold Ireland redeveloped the site in recent years to deliver 50 spacious, well-designed, sustainable homes and a community hub on the site which used to contain a number of older bedsits.
Gardaí and members of the Garda technical bureau could be seen at the small estate yesterday, carrying out enquiries and gathering evidence.
A number of items were removed from the scene in evidence bags for further forensic analysis.
One resident, who wanted to remain anonymous, told the Irish Independent that the residents were aware of some strangers in the area trying to break into homes.
He said: “We heard that these guys were going around trying doors and windows to see if they were open. If they were open they went in, or if someone answered the door they were pushed into the flat and robbed.”
When contacted by the Irish Independent, a spokesperson for Fold Ireland said they were “appalled and saddened” by the robberies.
The spokesperson added: “We urge anyone with information regarding the assailants to contact gardaí at Santry.
“Additional safety and security measures will now operate at the development day and night for the foreseeable future.”