Gardaí investigate latest in spate of aggravated burglaries in Co Limerick
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses after a third serious aggravated burglary in Co Limerick in a little over a week.
In the latest attack, a man was hit over the head with a blunt implement by a gang who attempted to wrap an electrical chord around his neck.
The man, in his 40s, is shaken but not seriously injured.
Two armed and masked men entered the man's house at Beaskabeg, Clarina, Patrickswell, at around 10pm on Saturday night after the man answered his front door.
According to gardaí the owner of the house was then removed by force to a bedroom and assaulted.
His mobile phone was taken.
The two-man gang - who may have been acting with the help of others - fled in a darkly coloured car.
Gardaí believe the gang's getaway car may have been a Volkswagen Passat.
The raiders wore dark clothing and are approximately 5’9” in height. One of the men is of heavy build, balding, and aged about 30 years old.
Gardaí at Roxboro Road are investigating the incident and can be contacted at (061) 214340.
On April 3, Don Reddan, 74, whose rugby star son Eoin plays for Ireland and Leinster, was the victim of a similar crime at his home near Patrickswell.
The pensioner answered his front door at around 10.30pm and was confronted by a masked man who was armed with a weapon similar to a pick axe.
Mr Reddan was tied up and assaulted but not seriously injured.
The lone intruder fled with an undisclosed amount of cash.
Mr Reddan managed to free himself and raise the alarm two hours later.
On April 9, ESB worker Danny O'Connell was tied up in his home in Ballingoola, Grange, by a four man gang who were armed with handguns.
Mr O'Connell, 46, was forced onto the floor and threatened at gunpoint.
The masked gang also tied up his wife Miriam before locking the terrified couple into a bathroom with their four-year old son and daughters, aged six and nine.
The men were looking for a man called "John".
Gardaí believe the O'Connell's were entirely innocent victims of the gang which intending to target another specific address in Limerick.
After Mr O'Connell convinced them they were in the wrong house the gang fled with only a small amount of cash taken from Mr O'Connell's wallet.
The men are believed to have been travelling in a dark saloon car and a silver long wheel-based van.
Gardaí at Bruff (061-382940) are investigating.
