Louth family threatened by gang

A couple and their children are recovering today after they were threatened by a gang that broke into their house in Ardee, Co Louth, early today.

The family was asleep when up to five men armed with a sledgehammer, pick-axe handles and an iron bar forced their way into the house on John St.

They wrongly believed the family owned the supermarket next door and were demanding that they hand over the keys.

The gang left after the woman escaped through a window and raised the alarm.

Her husband was assaulted during the incident, but was not seriously injured.