18/01/2006

Pensioners robbed in separate incidents

Pensioners have been targeted in a number of separate robberies in their homes across Northern Ireland in the past 24 hours.

In Tandragee, a former mayor of Armagh, 78-year-old councillor Heather Black, was left with minor injuries after being attacked by thieves. Up to six masked men raided her home on the Portadown Road, before escaping with a sum of money.

Ulster Unionist representatives in Armagh have expressed their outrage at the attack on their party colleague.

Local MLA Danny Kennedy, and UUP colleagues, Armagh Councillors Robert Turner and Eric Speers, utterly condemned the attack, describing those involved in the robbery as “cowardly thugs.”

In a statement, Mr Kennedy said: “Words cannot describe the revulsion which we feel towards these cowardly thugs who viciously attacked a defenceless woman in her own home. Crimes of this nature are to be utterly condemned."

He added that the perpetrators must be apprehended and receive sentences to fit their crimes.

In Lisburn, a 92-year-old woman was left badly shaken after five men gained entry to her home by kicking in the back door. The intruders raided the house before making of with cash.

In Lurgan, an elderly couple were robbed after four men pushed their way into their home at around 7.45pm. Two of the men held the 80-year-old man and his 74-year-old wife in their seats, while the other two ransacked the house. They then made off with an undisclosed sum of money.

One of the men is described as between 5' 6" and 5' 8", around 18 to 20-years-old, of thin to medium build, with short fair hair. He spoke with a Northern Ireland accent, but not local to the area. Another man has been described as around 5' 8" to 5' 10", of medium build, in his early 20's, with dark wavy hair and clean-shaven.

The couple were not injured in the incident, but were badly shaken.

Police have appealed for anyone who may have information on any of the incidents to contact them on 0845 600 8000, or on the Crimestoppers number on 0800 555 111.

(EF/SP)

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