A couple whose family was held at gunpoint by raiders who broke into their home has called for a reform of the justice system following their captors’ sentencing.

Three elderly siblings were left battered and “covered in blood” after two armed and masked men burst into their isolated farmhouse and robbed them, Limerick Circuit Court heard today.

A man who through financial difficulties was at the beck and call of a violent gang, drove armed and masked men on a raid during which they subjected two elderly sisters and their bachelor brother to what was described as a barbaric attack at their isolated rural home, a court heard.

Two elderly sisters and their older brother were tied up and prodded with blades during a horrific and prolonged burglary at their home in Limerick.