Thief assaults 96-year-old woman after breaking into her house

Gardaí in Donegal are searching for two men who broke into the home of a 96-year-old woman last night, assaulting her and stealing money.

The aggravated burglary happened in the village of Aghilly.

At around 12.30am last night, a man wearing dark clothing and a balaclava broke into the elderly woman's home through a kitchen window.

He went into the elderly woman's bedroom, where she was sleeping, and demanded cash.

He then assaulted the woman, hitting her in the ribs, and gagged her.

The thief then made off with the woman's handbag, which contained some money and bank cards.

The victim had a panic alarm in her house. She activated it and alerted the Gardaí.

She was taken to Letterkenny General Hospital as a precaution, but her injuries are not thought to be serious.

Eye witnesses say two men, wearing dark clothes and speaking with local accents were seen leaving the area afterwards and heading in the direction of Tullydish.

Gardaí are appealing for anyone who may have seen anything suspicious or who may have information in relation to this attack to come forward.