Violent Robberies Continue

Five men have forced their way into a house in an aggravated burglary in Armagh.

Yesterday's attack comes just over a week after the murder of Co Armagh farmer, Victor Stewart, 45, whose body was found at his house on the Creevekeeran Road in Middletown on Wednesday last.

That killing - believed to have happened during a robbery - came soon after the death of 62-year-old widow Eileen Corrigan who was separately killed earlier this month in Armagh city, with a link not being ruled out by police.

"It's one line of inquiry but there are no obvious links between the two murders," said the officer in charge of the probe, DCI Harkness.

In the latest assault, a five-year-old girl and her mother were terrorised in the house in the Seagahan Road area of Armagh City when the incident happened shortly after 10.30pm.

One of the men pinned the mother up against a wall and the little girl was ordered to remain on the sofa.

The other intruders then ransacked the house, although it is not yet clear what has been taken.

Detectives said a vehicle may have been used during the incident and have appealed for any one with information to contact CID at Newry on 0845 6008000.

Also earlier this month, a man in his 70s was tied up during an aggravated burglary.

That happened outside Maghaberry in Co Antrim, when the pensioner was dragged into a bedroom of his home by two men who tied his hands together. His home was then ransacked but it is not believed anything was stolen.

Last weekend, two blind brothers were robbed of a few pounds in Co Antrim, with sightless Whiteabbey men George (38) and Stephen Sloan robbed and beaten by thieves who made off with £20.

(BMcC)