Robbery at isolated farmhouse

An elderly couple have been robbed in their isolated farmhouse in County Tyrone.

A gang of eight men burst into the house on the Caledon Road in Aughnacloy, in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The gang held the man, who is in his late 70s, at knifepoint.

He suffered puncture wounds to both hands as he tried to protect himself.

This was a callous and brutal attack and anyone who knows anything about it must question their conscience

Alwyn Barton
PSNI Inspector

After ransacking the premises and stealing a small amount of cash, the gang then cut off the electricity supply and locked the couple in the house.

They were left without heat or light for over 14 hours before being discovered by a nephew.

Police Inspector Alwyn Barton said when officers arrived the house was freezing cold and the pensioners traumatised.

"They physically and mentally abused this elderly couple.

"This was a callous and brutal attack and anyone who knows anything about it must question their conscience and must pick up the phone and ring us.

"People out there do know what happened here. They know who is doing this and it is up to them to provide the information."

Attack

Inspector Barton said anyone with information should contact detectives in Dungannon.

The couple's Church of Ireland minister, the Reverend Raymond Ferguson, condemned the attack.

He said: "It would be true to say that both of them are quite traumatised.

"Although, I feel that having talked to them about the incident that they were both extremely brave.

"It was a really despicable thing - it plumbs the depths of what one human being can do to another."