Attacks on elderly - No deterrent for thugs

THANKFULLY attacks on elderly people in isolated communities are not as common as they were a decade ago.

Yesterday we were reminded of the cowardice and terror involved when the body of an 84-year-old farmer, Christy Hanley, was found at a house in Kilbeggan, Co Westmeath.

Relatives believe he was the victim of a robbery and may have been tied up. It is understood the alarm was raised by an anonymous phone call to Tullamore Garda Station yesterday morning.