An armed gang is being sought following the theft of almost €1m worth of diamonds and jewellery from a man in Ballymun last night.
The 64-year-old was attacked by three men armed with a hammer and handgun who forced their way into his hotel room in the early hours of this morning.
They beat him severely and stole a suitcase full of watches, rings, diamonds and other valuable jewellery.
Gardaí in Ballymun are appealing for anyone with information to contact them.
The victim is a wholesale jeweller based in England who now says he has lost everything.
The man came to Dublin and booked in to the Travelodge hotel in Ballymun. Shortly after midnight, the men forced their way into his room.
He was beaten over the head with a hammer before the gang took the one suitcase which contained the merchandise.
The man gave chase and followed the raiders on to Shangan Road, but they escaped. The victim was later treated at the Mater Hospital.
Gardaí now want to know why the man brought so much jewellery to Dublin. They are investigating why he did not put the jewellery in a safe, or somewhere secure, and how the gang knew he was in that hotel.
Gardaí are appealing for any information to contact Ballymun Garda Station on 01-6664400 or Garda Confidential line on 1800-666-111.
