Gardaí in Salthill, Galway, are investigating what they have described as an "aggravated burglary" at a private house in Barna, during which two people were tied up by raiders.
The incident occurred at about 9pm last Sunday at Ballard East, Barna, when two men wearing balaclavas entered the premises.
They demanded money from the owner, who is believed to be the proprietor of a well-known pub in Galway's city centre.
One of the two raiders was armed with a firearm, and he struck the male occupant on the head.
The two - a man and a woman - were tied up in the kitchen, and the raiders left with an undisclosed amount of money.
The alarm was raised when a family member returned to the house later that evening.
The injured man was given medical treatment for a head injury at the scene by a local doctor.
Gardaí in Salthill say they are appealing for any witnesses that may have been in the Ballard East area of Barna or in the Barna Wood car park on the main Barna road, between the hours of 8.30pm and 9.30pm on Sunday and may have seen some suspicious activity.
Former Galway mayor Val Hanley of the city's vintners' association said that he found the incident deeply distressing, and said that it was a "sinister development".
He said that publicans and people involved in the liquor business would need to increase their personal security in the run-up to Christmas.
Gardaí have preserved the scene for technical information and have asked anyone who may have witnessed any unusual activity, or who may have any information whatsoever to offer, to telephone gardaí at Salthill on 091-514720, the Garda confidential line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.