Men help neighbours fend off attacker

TWO men went to the aid of neighbours after a burglar slashed a man in an attempted house break-in yesterday morning.

Gheorgie Manci, a 33-year-old from Romania, said he ran to the home of Elaine and Mick Wisdom after he heard calls of help from a woman.

“She was [saying] ‘come, help, help, anyone help me’. Michael was being killed or something,” said Mr Manci.

The terrifying attack occurred just after 7.30am in a quiet residential estate in Foxford, Lucan, west Dublin, as the couple were getting their two daughters ready for school.

Mr Manci and another neighbour – a male Filipino nurse – answered Ms Wisdom’s call. They tackled the burglar.

Mr Manci, stocky and well-built, said he used his foot and shoulder to restrain the thief.

“He pressed me, trying to escape, but not possible,” said Mr Manci.

Thanks to Mr Manci, gardaí arrested the man at the scene. He is due to appear in court this morning to face serious charges of aggravated burglary and possession of an offensive weapon, thought to be an adapted Stanley blade.

The other neighbour, a hospital nurse, tended to Mr Wisdom’s injuries until he was taken away by ambulance. He received a minor wound to his chest and a bad wound to his arm, but gardaí are hopeful he will make a full recovery.

While there were initial reports of two attackers, gardaí said there was one man involved.

Speaking outside the home, Shane Carroll, Elaine’s brother, said his sister was physically unharmed but “shook up”.

He thought Mr Wisdom was attacked with a Stanley blade, but wasn’t sure. He said there had been a knock on their door at about 7.30am, as the couple were getting Ellie, 6, and Katie, 8, ready for school.

When Ms Wisdom answered, a man attempted to force his way in.

“He tried to push in the door. Elaine stopped him. Mick came down and tackled him and he pulled a knife,” said Mr Carroll.

Eyewitnesses said there was a considerable amount of blood in the hallway and in and around the door.

Mr Carroll said he had no idea why Elaine and Mick were targeted.

“The only thing I can think of is it was some kind of junkie. Mick works for himself, he never holds cash in the house.

“He’s an electrical contractor. All the money goes through the bank.”