Man arrested after elderly man assaulted by house burglars

Gardaí have arrested a man in his 20s in connection with an aggravated burglary at a house in Ballinasloe, Co Galway in the early hours of this morning.

An 80-year-old man was assaulted during the robbery.

The incident happened shortly before 2am this morning at a house on Jubilee Street in the town.

A man forced his way into the home of the man and assaulted him.

The raider then forced the elderly man to go with him to a bank machine on Dunlo Street, where he tried to force the victim to withdraw cash.

A member of the public, who happened to be passing, intervened and the thief ran away.

Some time later, in a follow-up operation, gardaí arrested a man in his 20s.

He is currently being detained at Ballinasloe Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.

The victim was taken to Portiuncula Hospital where he was treated for minor injuries and has since been released.

Gardaí in Ballinasloe are appealing for witnesses to the incident to come forward.