Former hurler in hospital after confronting raiders

A former Limerick hurler was recovering in hospital last night after being viciously assaulted when he confronted raiders at his home on Monday afternoon.

George Boyle, who is in his 50s, received a broken arm and had to get 20 stitches to his head after being struck repeatedly with a hurley.

Mr Boyle came on the four raiders at his home near Murroe at around 3pm as they ransacked a number of rooms in his bungalow about a mile from the village.

Mr Boyle grabbed one of the four as the gang fled the house. He then received a blow to the head when struck from behind.

The four made off in a Galway-registered 2000 car.

The same gang are suspected of carrying out raids on two other houses in the Murroe area at around lunchtime yesterday.