Elderly Attack Slammed

Local condemnation has followed the attack of an elderly woman in her own home in Co Armagh.

Speaking after the victim - who is in her 80s - was robbed in her home in Keady, the Newry and Armagh Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan, (pictured) said: "Three men entered the home of an elderly lady in Keady and physically abused her.

"She was left badly shaken after three men attacked her," he said. "One of these cowards physically pushed her while another held his hand over her mouth, in an attempted robbery," he said.

It happened shortly before 6.25pm on Wednesday when the three men entered her flat at Tassagh Road and, while one of them put his hand over the mouth of the pensioner, the men stole a purse before leaving.

All of the men had dark hair and were wearing blue trousers. One wore a grey pullover. Police have appealed for witnesses to contact them.

Cathal Boylan continued: "The dark evenings provide cover for this type of attacks and I call on the community to be extra vigilant and watchful of their elderly neighbours and relatives particularly in the run up to Christmas.

"These miscreants see elderly people as easy prey for their criminal behaviour and they must be caught and taken off the streets before we face a fatality.

I totally condemn those who carried out this attack and would encourage anyone with any information that they feel may be of assistance in catching these criminals to come forward and provide it to the PSNI," he said, noting that he will be seeking an urgent meeting with the PSNI to ascertain what measures the area commander will be introducing to ensure public safety.

Meanwhile, it has just emerged that another pensioner has been hit over the head outside a bar.

The victim, who is in his 70s, was struck on the back of head outside the premises on Main Street, Claudy, on Sunday afternoon. He was treated in hospital for cuts to his ear, forehead and cheekbone.

A man was arrested in connection with the attack, and has been released on bail pending further inquiries.

(BMcC/KMcA)