Aggravated burglary at Drumiskabole, Ballisodare, Sligo on the 21/10/18

The Gardaí at Sligo Garda station are investigating an aggravated Burglary that occurred at Drumiskoble, Ballisodare, Co Sligo, on Sunday, the 21st October 2018.

The male victim in this case had spent the day by attending mass in the morning time at St. Johns Church, Carraroe and afterwards driving to a local shop where he bought the Sunday paper. After spending the afternoon at a sister’s house he returned home at around 5pm, when he received a visit from another sister. She helped him light the fire and they chatted together until she left at around 7.30pm.

Later that evening shortly before 10 pm the man decided to lock the house and retire to bed for the night. A short time later as the man was sleep he was suddenly woken by three men standing over him and shouting repeatedly at him, “Where is the money? We want the money”. They were aggressive and threatening in their manner.

Two of the suspects then left the bedroom, with one remaining in the bedroom with the victim. The suspect who remained had a small (possibly green) pencil torch with a dim light which he constantly shone in the man’s face and kept demanding money. This same suspect climbed up on the bed and put his knees against the victim’s chest and pushed the torch against his throat.

The other two suspects came back to the room, demanding money and continued to treat the victim aggressively by grabbing and pulling him. The victim put up a struggle and was then pulled from the bed, when the suspects attempted to tie him up. The suspects failed to tie the man up and then manhandled as they forced him into a bathroom. They then locked him in with a key from the outside. It is believed at this point that the men made good their escape. The victim remained locked in the bathroom until the following morning when he was discovered by a man calling to his house. A sum of cash was stolen during the course of this burglary.

Appeal:

Any person who may have travelled in the area of the M4 road from Sligo to Ballisodare/Collooney between 9pm of the 21/10/18 & 7am of the 22/10/18.
Any person who may have travelled in the area of the R287 road from Carrarrowe to Ballygawely/Keadue re between 9pm of the 21/10/18 & 7am of the 22/10/18 and saw any person(s)/vehicle acting suspiciously in this general area between the evening of the 21st and morning of the 22nd October 2018.
In the weeks before hand did any person living in the general area see or witness anything suspicious or suspicious activity by a person we would ask that you contact the programme, Sligo Garda station at (071) 9157000 or any Garda station.
A direct appeal to any delivery drivers/courier person who work through the night who may have travelled in this area in the course of their work. This general area has several light industrial premises/garage premises and we are aware that there is a continual flow of delivery vehicles travelling through this area especially at night.
If any of these vehicle had GPS abilities they would check there GPS systems to establish if they were in this area on the date in question.
The previous night a person dressed in dark clothing was seen standing on the side of the roadway near the victims house around 11pm, we would appeal to that person to come forward and speak to us in order to establish can they the investigation.
This incident occurred around the commencement of the game shooting season and game shooting takes place in this area, we would appeal to any persons involved in this leisure activity to contact us if they witnessed anything suspicious during this time.
The road network in the vicinity of the home of the injured party is also a very popular walking area and we would appeal to any walkers to come forward and speak to us if they witnessed anything unusual in the days around and prior to this incident
Because of the nature of this crime and events that occurred we suspect that the persons involved may have been inexperienced in a crime of such a serious nature and if one or more of them became involved unwillingly and the descriptions of them by the injured party suggest that they are young and of light build and stature.
If anyone seen any persons of similar build/stature in this area in the days/weeks prior to this incident we would ask that you contact the programme, Sligo Garda station at (071) 9157000 or any Garda station.

Descriptions of Suspects:

Suspect 1

He is described as the leader of the group, had a torch, 5’7", mid length black coat, dark hair, not too long, 28-29 years of age, slim build, black rubber gloves, black balaclava, ordinary local accent

Suspects 2 & 3

5’7", slim build, 28-years old, gloves, faces covered, dark hair, ordinary local accents

Gardai at Sligo Garda Station are investigating tel: (071) 915 7000