Gardai appealed to the public for assistance yesterday following a serious aggravated burglary. Three elderly sisters were terrorised and tied up by a gang of three men who ransacked their home in north Cork.
The gang broke into the home of Kitty, Eilish and Hannah Casey, who are in their 70s or early 80s, at Ballindangan near Mitchelstown at around 10.30 p.m. on Wednesday, and surprised the three women in their kitchen.
The raiders threatened to kill the sisters if they did not give them money.
They tied them up with rope before they began ransacking the house. One sister suffered bruising to her face from a raider's fist.
Gardai believe the gang was looking for the takings from the sisters' shop across the road from their house. But they were still trying to establish yesterday just how much money the raiders took.
The women were tied up for almost three hours. The men left at about 12.30 yesterday morning.
One of the sisters managed to free herself at around 1.10 a.m. and phoned gardai, who responded quickly.
The women were treated for shock at the scene by two local doctors.
Insp Pat McCarthy said: "This was a despicable crime. These women are elderly and frail and were very traumatised.
"We're appealing to anyone who may have noticed anything unusual or suspicious in the Ballindangan area to contact us."
The local curate, Father John Keane, said the attack on the pensioners had stunned and horrified the quiet farming community between Mitchelstown and Glanworth.
"I was called to the scene early this morning, and when I arrived the three women were very shocked and frightened. They were a pack of thugs who did this and I hope they are quickly brought to justice. It was a horrific thing to do.
"Whoever did this doesn't deserve to get away with it. These poor women were terrified. They threatened to kill them and one of them suffered injuries. It was disgraceful. I feel very strongly about this."
Father Keane said that Ballindangan enjoyed a great community spirit and people were rallying around in support of the Caseys.
"Friends and neighbours have been calling all day since they heard the news, and we prayed for them at Mass this morning," he added.
Garda technical specialists sealed off the house and began a detailed forensic examination for clues. Gardai describe the raiders as in their 20s with one being quite tall, but they do not have detailed descriptions.
Anyone who can assist the Garda is asked to contact Mitchelstown station at (025) 84833 or Fermoy at (025) 31222.