Aggravated Burglary at Shillelagh, Co. Wicklow on the 16/3/16

The Gardaí at Baltinglass Garda Station are investigating an Aggravated Burglary that occurred on Wednesday, 16th March 2016 at Shillelagh, Co. Wicklow.

The injured party, a man in his eighties was staying with a friend at Shillelagh, Co. Wicklow on that Wednesday, the day before St. Patrick’s Day. They had lunch at home that day and went to mass that evening. Shortly after 7pm they arrived home and later, the woman went out to visit her friend. The man settled down for the evening, reading a book and watching television in the sitting room.

Just as the man was watching the nine news, three men burst into the sitting room. Two of the men were armed with what looked like a wooded baton and an iron bar. They were all wearing dark clothing and had their faces covered. They demanded money from the injured party and he handed them his wallet. They demanded more money and to know where the safe was. They ransacked several rooms in the house and stole a coin box containing money in old denominations and an antique gun.

One of the raiders tied the man’s feet together with a scarf. The raiders fled on foot from the house. Witnesses recall seeing lights from a car nearby parked on the Ballynultagh road.

During the burglary the man was assaulted and struck a number of times and received facial injuries. He was treated in hospital for his injuries.

Appeal:

• The wallet contained eight €100 notes and the coin box contained old coins & currency including punts. Gardaí are appealing to anyone who has come across this money or may know anyone who has to come forward.

• The antique gun that was stolen was a decommissioned “Ruger” pistol, Gardaí are appealing anyone who may know the whereabouts of this gun to come forward.

• At 8.20pm that evening at nearby Tinahely, car registration number plates 04WH4366 were reported stolen from an Audi A4. Gardaí believe the raiders may have used a similar car with these number plates.

• Gardaí are appealing to anyone in the area between 8pm and 10pm, people are asked to recall any suspicious activity in Shillelagh that night.

Gardaí at Baltinglass Garda Station are investigating - Telephone 0596482610