Perpetrator of heinous rural crime must be brought to justice - TD
A west of Ireland TD has stated that the perpetrators of a heinous crime in a village in Ballintubber, Roscommon, earlier this week must be brought to justice.
The violent burglary happened on Sunday evening, and the alarm was raised in the early hours of Monday morning.
A woman in her 90s and her adult sons were held hostage and threatened while their business and home was ransacked.
Gardai have launched an investigation into the aggravated burglary and assault.
A man in his 60s was attacked but did not need medical attention afterwards.
It's reported a 94-year-old woman and her sons were held hostage in one room while the rest of the property was ransacked by a gang of men.
The culprits made off with a small amount of cash and some jewellery.
Commenting on the attack, Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice said: "No stone should be left unturned in the investigation to identify these thugs.
"Brutal and traumatic crimes such as the one are rare. But that is little consolation to the victims and the extended community.
"It is the isolated nature of rural communities which, in general, makes them safe. But this isolation can also make these communities targets for crimes of this nature.
"Ballintubber is a quiet and peaceful village. It is home to a close-knit community that takes pride in its locality.
"I know that the people who were victimized in this attack will have the support of a strong community as they recover from this traumatic incident.
"But it is of paramount importance that the thugs who have struck fear into the heart of this community are apprehended and made an example of.
"Long be for the days when the local gardai, who were stationed in every small town and village, knew the good from the bad. As part of the community, they were fully invested in solving crimes such as this.
"With all the technology and resources available to law enforcement today, we must have faith in the gardai to investigate this crime and bring the culprits to justice.
"I know that Castlerea gardai will leave no stone unturned in their investigation.
"Anyone with any information should come forward to gardai.
"While what has been done cannot be undone, if justice is served it might help bring some closure to the victims and the community.
"Castlerea Gardai have launched an investigation but no arrests have been made as of yet."
They are keen to speak with anyone who was in Ash Park, Ballintubber, between 10 p.m. on Sunday and 1 a.m. on Monday, including people with dash cam video footage.
The public can contact Castlerea Garda station at 094 962 1630 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.