An 81 year old bachelor farmer died yesterday after being attacked by two intruders. His older brother was injured, but survived.
Two men believed to be in their late 20s or early 30s entered the remote farmhouse of Paddy Logan (81) and Peter Logan (83) at Castlejordan on the Meath/Offaly border yesterday afternoon.
Family members who spoke to the injured brother said the men demanded cash and attacked and beat the brothers with a floor brush. Both men tried to defend themselves, but one of the attackers struck Mr Paddy Logan with the brush, knocking him to the ground. The raiders made off with less than £50.
Mr Peter Logan was taken by ambulance to Tullamore General Hospital suffering from head and facial injuries.
The remote farmhouse, about one mile from the small Meath village of Castlejordan and four miles from Edenderry in Co Offaly, was sealed off as a murder hunt led by Supt Peter Wheeler, Tullamore, got under way.
Gardai were awaiting the arrival of the State Pathologist, who is expected to carry out a preliminary examination.
It is the second time the brothers have been attacked in the last five months. In early January Mr Paddy Logan chased a young man from the house with his legally held firearm, firing several shots over his head.