Farmer’s house too damaged for return after attack

A farmer who was beaten and bound by a gang of men will not be able to return to his home when he leaves hospital due to the damage caused by the attackers.

The four-man gang who forced their way into his home in Co Offaly over the weekend also viciously beat the man’s dog, which was described by a councillor as the farmer’s soulmate.

The 54-year-old farmer was dragged out his bed by the gang at Glasderry beg, Brosna, near Birr, Co Offaly, at 2am on Saturday. He was beaten in the head with an implement and dragged to a barn, where he was tied up.