An elderly couple are being treated for their injuries at Roscommon County Hospital after what gardaí have described as a vicious and traumatic attack on them at their home.
Three men broke into the home of the 64-year-old man man and a woman aged 75, at Fisherstown near Clondra in Co Longford at 1am this morning.
The raiders threatened the couple and said they would cut off their fingers if money was not given to them.
An attempt was also made to tie them up.
Gardaí say the attack went on for some time and the man and woman were severely traumatised.
They also received injuries to their hands and arms during the attack.
The elderly couple were held hostage in a bathroom where they managed to raise the alarm.
Local gardaí from Longford arrived at the scene, and the three men tried to escape.
They were pursued on foot and arrested.
The three, two in their 30s and one in his 20s, are currently being held at Longford Garda Station.
The scene is preserved for technical examination and the investigation is ongoing.
