Elderly man clubbed by intruders in the North

A pensioner who tried to protect his property was left with blood pouring from his head after being battered with cudgels during an armed robbery in the North, police said today.

Thomas Killen, 82, confronted the assailants and hit one of them with a pole but was set upon by the three-strong gang.

They ransacked the house in the Crawfordstown Road, Drumaness, near Ballynahinch, Co Down, last night and escaped with money.

“I hit him across the gob with a pole – I probably hurt him, and then I had to pay the price,” Mr Killen said.

“The three of them attacked me with the clubs and the blood spewed out of me on to the floor.”

Mr Killen and his brother, Bill, 89, were sitting around the fire at his home at around 9pm when the intruders sneaked in and demanded money.

“My brother was sitting there dozing and the door opened very quietly and these three huge big characters walked in carrying thick cudgels about 14 inches long,” said Mr Killen.

“Quiet as you like he said ’Where is the money?’ There was no co-operation and that is when they tried to pull the place apart.”

The victims were threatened with a gun and Mr Killen said drawers were pulled out, and bags and boxes torn apart during the search.

He added that he was taking the experience in his stride.

“I feel reasonably good. I have had a few traumas in my life but this is another one which I could have done without.”

Neither brother was taken to hospital.

The attack is the third robbery of elderly people in the area this week.

Police have appealed for anyone with information to contact them.