26/10/2018

Elderly Woman Restrained During Raid On NI Home

An elderly woman was forcibly restrained by two men who ransacked her home in a small rural County Down community.

The robbery happened in Seaforde on Tuesday evening, 23 October.

Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Detective Constable Michael Brannigan said: "We received a report on Wednesday that the female occupant of a house in the Newcastle Road area of Seaforde was outside her property on Tuesday night when two males approached and forced her inside.

"Once inside the property the suspects forced the woman, aged in her 70's, onto a chair and held her hands behind her back. They then carried out a search and subsequently fled with a sum of money.

"It's believed this occurred some time between 7.30pm and 7.45pm on Tuesday night."

The woman was not injured, but was left badly shaken by the ordeal.

The suspects have been described as being aged in their 20's, of slim build and wearing grey-coloured tops, with hoods pulled up.

SDLP MLA Colin McGrath condemned the attack on the vulnerable elderly woman, and said the local community has been shocked by the incident.

"This was a disgraceful act and one that has left a lady in a very shaken state," the South Down representative said.

"For some in our community to pick on a vulnerable lady on a dark autumn evening is horrendous."

Mr McGrath also urged anyone with information to contact police, so "the full force of the law can be directed to these individuals to ensure our community is safe for everyone".



(JG/CM)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

14 November 2024
Police Appeal Following Burglary In Ahoghill
Detectives are appealing for information following a report of a burglary in Ahoghill on Tuesday, 12th November. Police received a report that the back door of a house on the Ballymena Road was forced open shortly before 6pm.
30 November 2015
Woman Found Unconscious On Co Down Road
A woman has been found unconscious on a road in County Down. The woman, aged in her 50s, was discovered on the Sheepland Road at around 4.30am on Sunday. She was taken to hospital where she is believed to be in a serious condition.
11 June 2003
Pensioner attacked during burglary of her home
A 90-year-old woman was assaulted during a burglary of her home in Ballygowan, Co Down last night. The woman was confronted by a teenager after hearing noise in her kitchen. The youth then assaulted the elderly woman before escaping into an alley at the back of the house. Police believe an accomplice then joined the assailant.
20 September 2018
Woman Assaulted During Aggravated Burglary In Newtownabbey
A woman has been assaulted during an aggravated burglary in Newtownabbey. A number of masked and armed men forced entry to a property in the Forthill Drive area at around 10.15pm on Wednesday, 19 September. A woman who was in the house at the time was attacked and sustained an injury to her lip. Three other people in the property were not injured.
15 January 2015
Body Of Missing Woman Is Found
A body found on a beach in Co Down has been confirmed as that of missing woman Aileen Finch. Ms Finch, 68, went missing sometime between Tuesday night and Wednesday. On Wednesday evening (14 January), a body was found on a beach near Ballymartin. It was later confirmed to be Ms Finch. Police have said they are not treating the death as suspicious.