Gardaí probe Sligo pub raid

Gardaí in Sligo are investigating an armed raid on a rural pub where one of the elderly owners was beaten by a gang of masked men.

A technical examination of the scene at Quigley’s in Collooney is being carried out this morning.

The property comprises a pub, petrol pumps and grocery store and is owned by two brothers who are aged in their 70s.

One of the brothers was alone in the premises, which is usually closed on Sunday, when three masked men entered via the back of the property at around 6.20pm yesterday evening.

The gang were armed with a variety of weapons and beat the man a number of times with a bat before ransacking the premises and making off with an undisclosed sum.

The elderly man was not seriously injured but is said to be extremely shocked and shaken by the ordeal.

Sligo gardaí have launched an investigation.