Attacks on the elderly - A communal response

Violent attacks by thieves are always unacceptable but violent attacks on elderly people who live alone, often in isolated urban or rural situations, are particularly odious.

Over recent weeks there has been a spate of these attacks and one Donegal woman — a 78-year-old pensioner — has been attacked in her home twice. In another attack in that county a 96-year-old woman punched and gagged in her home near Buncrana last weekend.

Against this backdrop proposals from Justice Minister Alan Shatter that will reduce the Garda presence in communities are bound to cause concern. That concern is unlikely to reverse his decisions so communities will have to be ever more vigilant and aware if these violent thieves are to be deterred.