Couple in hospital after armed raid on house in Cavan

A couple remain in hospital after being attacked by a gang of masked men at their home near Kingscourt, Co Cavan on Thursday.

Gardaí have appointed a family liaison officer and have set up an incident room.

During their ordeal, the couple, both in their late 50s, were assaulted and received serious injuries.

Gardaí confirmed the man was confronted by three, or possibly four masked men when he arrived to his home in Cornaman, at 6.50pm on Thursday. It is believed the men were waiting for him by a rear door and gave him what was described as a “severe” beating.

They then went into the house where his wife was also attacked and beaten.

Both were tied up by the gang who were carrying implements. At least one of the attackers is understood to have had what appeared to be a firearm.

The gang demanded money from the couple throughout the incident, which lasted over an hour.

The culprits escaped by stealing the couple’s black Landrover Freelander jeep, registration number 07 CN 3857.

The alarm was raised after the woman managed to free herself. Both were taken by ambulance to to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda.

The man suffered a punctured lung, while the woman sustained a broken wrist. Both were badly shaken.

The man had previously worked in construction and in the pub trade.