The sister of an Offaly man who was beaten and robbed by a gang of four men on his farm near Birr at the weekend has said his life has been destroyed and he will never return home to live there again.
It was the second time in six weeks that farmer Richie McKelvey was robbed at his home at Brosna.
His sister Annette Meacle said this evening that he had been severely traumatised by the incident.
She also called for more resourcing for the gardaí and new cameras to be installed on the motorways on either side of Co Offaly.
Ms Meacle said people could never understand the effect that such an attack could have on somebody who lived alone.
Annette Meacle calls for better resources for the gardaí after her brother was attacked in his Offaly home twice within six weeks. pic.twitter.com/cD5mHxlrZT
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) November 6, 2017
Her brother is expected to be released from hospital in Tullamore later today after suffering facial injuries when he was beaten with a bar and locked in a shed during the ordeal.
Gardaí in the midlands are searching for four men with Munster accents and access to a high-powered 4x4 vehicle who they believe may have been responsible for the violent attack.
Gardaí have appealed to anybody who was travelling on the N62 between Birr and Roscrea in the early hours of Saturday to come forward.
Gardaí appeal for information after aggravated burglary in Offaly at the weekend pic.twitter.com/Q7IcijX0UY
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) November 6, 2017
Anyone with information should contact 057-9169710.
