Pensioner confronts intruder

Tony McCluskey whose 87-year-old mother challenged an intruder

An elderly woman used her walking stick to challenge an intruder who broke into her County Down home.

Maria Coulter, 87, waved her stick at the man who got into her home at John Thompson Park, Portaferry, through a rear window.

The incident happened at about 1900 GMT on Sunday.

Mrs Coulter's son, Tony McCluskey, said the intruder came from the bathroom, pushed past his mother and started to go through a cabinet containing papers.

"She got up, went to the hall and lifted her walking stick, she wanted to give him a scare," Mr McCluskey said.

"He saw her, took the walking stick from her and threw it on the settee. She went to the door. He went and grabbed her by the arms."

Mr McCluskey said the man took a wallet containing a substantial amount of money, but he dropped it as he ran away.

She is a brave woman. But this has left a really bad scar Tony McCluskey

He said it was the third time that his mother had been targeted.

"The first time a large amount was stolen. The second time a fellow and a girl conned her. This is the third time and she is badly shaken," he said.

"My mother is a tough, little lady. She had the thought to lift her walking stick to give him a clout.

"She is a brave woman. But this has left a really bad scar."

The man is described as being in his mid 20s, tall, with short red hair. He was wearing a blue and white shirt and beige trousers.

Police in Newtownards have appealed for information about the attack.

Man found dead

Earlier this month, an elderly man was found dead in his home in County Down following a robbery.

Police are treating the death as murder.

Ted O'Hare, 73, was found by his three elderly brothers at their farmhouse on the Tullymore Road, in Loughbrickland.

The three were confronted by a gang of five masked men as they arrived home from Mass at about 2000 GMT on Saturday.

The gang assaulted the men and ransacked the house. After a struggle, the gang fled the house and the pensioners found their brother's body.

The incident follows confirmation by the police that attacks and robberies against elderly people in Northern Ireland are increasing.