A woman and her daughter were last night still in shock following an aggressive robbery at their home at the weekend.

It happened at a house at Cortamlat Road in Newry on Saturday afternoon when the lady homeowner returned to the house with her daughter, shortly before 3.30pm. and found an unfamiliar car with one man inside parked in the driveway. Three other men then came running out of the house.

One of the intruders threatened the two women, striking one with a brush.

The women got back into their car and the male then smashed the drivers window and grabbed a handbag. One of the women sustained minor injuries.

The four men then fled in a red or maroon coloured Vauxhall Vectra car.

A similar car was seen in the Armaghbreague Road a short time earlier.

Several rooms in the house were ransacked although it is not yet clear what exactly was stolen.

The man who assaulted one of the women is between 25 - 26 years of age, around 5ft 4ins tall and described as chubby. He had a bandage (or something similar) wrapped around his right hand.

The driver of the Vauxhall car is thought to be between 29 - 30 years of age, of skinny build and had black curly hair. A third man is described as being older, between 5ft 6ins - 5ft 8ins tall and he was wearing a dark coloured green waist length coat.

Ulster Unionist MLA for Newry & Armagh, Danny Kennedy last night condemned the attack and robbery.

He also called for greater PSNI presence and vigilance in the area to restore community confidence.

Mr Kennedy said the family had been put through a very traumatic experience.

"The thoughts and prayers of the local community are with the family at this time," he said.

Anyone with any information, or who may have seen a similar car with four male passengers cting suspiciously in the area, is asked to contact CID at Newry on 0845 600 8000. Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

(BMcC)