Crime gang terrorise vulnerable pensioners, four homes in Kilkenny ranscaked

By COLIN BARTLEY

KILKENNY gardai are hunting a gang who subjected vulnerable pensioners to terrifying ordeals during a spate of violent break-ins over the past 24 hours.

Gardai are investigating the possibility the same gang is behind four separate robberies in South Kilkenny and three robberies in neighbouring county Waterford yesterday.

Four homes were broken into and ransacked in quick succession in Mooncoin, Ferrybank, Slieverue and Glenmore yesterday.

In the first reported incident, a house in Comeragh View, Mooncoin was broken into at around 9.20am. The burglars broke down the front door, ranscaked the house and made off with some valuable jewellery.

Soon afterwards, an 86-year old man’s home was also broken into and ransacked just a few kilomotres away at an address in Mayfield, Portlaw in neighbouring county Waterford.

In a separate incident, a vulnerable pensioner was assaulted in her house in Waterford city yesterday morning asthe gang ransacked her home.

Shortly after this incident, another house in Ballybrack, Kilmacthomas, was broken into and turned over. No one was in the house at the time.

Gardai in Waterford and Thomastown are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed anything suspicious in any of these areas yesterday to contact them on 051 305 300 or 056 775 4150.