Thieves add to a family’s tragedy

CALLOUS thieves who detained a man and his family as his wife lay seriously ill in a hospital bed made certain of their getaway with what is believed to be a substantial sum of money by stealing their victim’s prosthetic leg in order to prevent him from following them.

The shocking incident happened around midnight on Saturday, November 19, when men entered the Connors family home in Ryleen, just outside New Ross, Co Wexford, and detained the family for a short length of time.

They escaped with the cash and Michael Connors’ prosthetic leg, which was later recovered by gardaí.

At the time of the robbery, Michael’s 41-year-old wife, Elizabeth, lay ill in hospital battling cancer.

She sadly passed away just three days later and was laid to rest last Thursday.

Elizabeth’s passing has left a huge void in the life of her husband of 20 years, Michael, and their four children, Katie, 14; Larry, 11, Mary, 6, and Tom, 3.

Her parents Jerry and Mary Berry and her siblings, Alice, Paddy, Michael, Kate, Nan, Maggie and Bridget have also been left totally shocked at her death.

Originally from Raheen, Rosbercon, Lizzie and Michael, a native of Taghmon, Co Wexford, set up their home in Ryleen following their marriage in 1991.

New Ross gardaí are continuing their search for the robbers and money.