Man tied up in Ballycumber burglary
by Danielle Harney Updated: Friday, 4th February, 2011 10:25am
A local man in his 40s was tied up in his own home in Ballycumber by two men who then stole a quantity of cash and two firearms.
Tullamore Gardaí are investigating the incident which occurred in the small village at 1am on Thursday morning and are appealing for witnesses.
The two men forcibly entered the man’s house, of which he was the sole occupant. They tied him up and searched the house. The ordeal lasted about one hour. The man didn’t require hospital treatment but was obviously shocked and traumatised. He was able to report the incident to gardaí a short time after they left.
“We don’t know if it’s a local job, we’re keeping an open mind and not ruling out anything,” said Tullamore Sgt Ollie Baker. “They knew what they were coming for, they were armed with information.”
Sgt Baker added that these types of incidents were becoming “all the more prevalent” in rural communities all around Ireland.
“These kind of attacks are becoming a worrying development,” he said. “We need people to be aware of their own personal security in their homes. An attack like this leaves an awful lot of people traumatised.”
Gardaí are appealing for anyone who saw anything suspicious between the hours of 12 midnight and 2.30am on Wednesday night/Thursday morning, to contact Tullamore Garda Station on 057 9327600.
