Robbers threaten kidnapping

Mary Small said her daughter Ciara was terrified during the ordeal

A family has been held at gunpoint during an attempted robbery in County Tyrone.

The gunmen also threatened to kidnap a 12-year-old girl.

They threatened the family pointing guns at their heads and demanded £100,000 or they would take the girl with them.

It happened at the family's home at Cullenramer Road in Dungannon at about 2130 GMT on Thursday.

Two young boys and another relative were also in the house at the time. The boys were sleeping in another room.

However, within minutes, the police arrived and the men ran way.

One guy went in, got Ciara, brought her out to the kitchen with a gun pointed to her head and said he would blow her brains out if we didn't cooperate Mary Small

They were chased by the police and one man was arrested. A second man was arrested at a house a short time later.

Mary Small said her daughter Ciara was terrified during the ordeal.

"They wanted to know where the children were - the two boys were in bed and Ciara was in the sitting room," she said.

"One guy went in, got Ciara, brought her out to the kitchen with a gun pointed to her head and said he would blow her brains out if we didn't cooperate.

"It's terrible that guys can burst into your home, intrude on your privacy and terrorise family and especially a 12-year-old girl.

"They also told us they wanted £100,000 and if we didn't get it for them they were going to take Ciara with them and myself also.

"Only for the quick actions of the police we wouldn't be here today."

Two young boys were also in the house at the time

Meanwhile, a 95-year-old woman has been robbed in her home in south Belfast.

She was watching television on Thursday night when a youth broke into her house at Cricklewood Park.

He kicked down the back door and ran into the living room where he stole the pensioner's handbag.

He dropped the bag during his escape, but did take some money.

The woman was not injured in the robbery.