Burglars threaten elderly couple with hammer

A DUBLIN-BASED Traveller gang is suspected of being behind a terrifying aggravated burglary on an elderly couple in rural Co Waterford.

Three masked men restrained the couple, aged in their late 70s, and threatened them with a hammer and an axe, before stealing up to €1,000 in cash.

Garda sources told the Irish Examiner they suspect the burglars are members of a Traveller gang which moved out of Waterford a number of years ago, but which has continued to commit burglaries in the area.

They have close links with a notorious local Traveller gang in Waterford, which is engaged in organised crime across the South East.

The burglars broke into the home of Nicholas and Kathleen Dunphy, from Carballymore, located between Tramore and Dunmore East, between 9 and 9.30pm on Monday.

It is thought they used socks to tie the traumatised couple to chairs. Brandishing a hammer and an axe they ransacked the house and demanded cash.

It is thought they escaped with less than €1,000 in cash.

Mrs Dunphy managed to free herself and raise the alarm at a neighbour’s house after the men left.

The husband and wife, who have grown-up children who live elsewhere, were not physically injured during the incident but were said to have been traumatised afterwards.

It is understood gardaí don’t have definite individuals in mind for the burglary, with sources saying the gang had “fluid membership”.

Gardaí said the three men had Waterford accents and all were described as being between 5’7” and 5’11” in height.

Speaking publicly on the matter, Superintendent Chris Delaney, who is leading the investigation, said: “It was an awful experience for the couple involved. To have a group of people arriving at your house, when it’s dark, would cause terrible anxiety and stress.”

The inquiry includes local gardaí, detectives, search teams and scene-of-crime officers. “We’re throwing the kitchen sink at it and hopefully we’ll get to the bottom of it,” the superintendent said.

Garda experts from the Technical Bureau are examining the house and the restraints used for possible forensic clues.

The Dunphys were understood to be at a relative’s house as they attempt to get over their ordeal.

Local councillor Pat Fitzgerald, who knows the couple, said. “They’re lovely, honest, decent people and haven’t an enemy in the world,” he said.

“They’re really good neighbours and their neighbours are very good to them. It’s shocking to think that this could happen in our community.”

He urged anyone with information to pass it on to the investigation team.

Gardaí in Waterford city are investigating the crime and anyone with information, or who noticed anything suspicious in the area in recent days or any strange cars, has been asked to contact the station on 051-305300.