Mugging of shopkeeper, 94, ‘despicable’

THE brother of a 94-year-old shopkeeper, who was mugged by two youths, yesterday described his attackers as “despicable people”.

Willie Carr, who still runs a grocery shop, was returning from his local bank when he was attacked by two youths who came up behind him, knocked him to the ground and stole a small amount of cash.

Mr Carr, who is blind in one eye, suffered a broken arm and bruising. He is recovering in Cork University Hospital.

This is the second time the elderly man from Cobh, Co Cork, has been attacked. “A few years ago, Willie was tied up in his own home, threatened with a knife and then had tape stuck over his face.

"The people who did it were disturbed and fled. A neighbour who came to his rescue saw that he was suffocating and immediately removed the tape. If he hadn’t arrived so quickly my brother could have died,” said Brian Carr.

The latest attack happened about 1.30pm last Tuesday in the centre of Cobh, and just 50 yards from the shopkeeper’s home.

“Willie used to cash cheques for some of the local fishermen and he had taken them down to the bank. He was on his way back when it happened. A council worker found him lying on the ground,” his brother Brian said.

“You couldn’t meet a gentler or more honest man. This is a terrible thing to happen to a man of his age. I think those who did it are despicable people. To do that to anybody, what sort of minds have they got?”

Gardaí have described the attack as a “shocking crime” and are appealing for the public’s help in catching the muggers.

“We are looking for witnesses who may have been in the Harbour Row, Connolly Street or

The Mall area of Cobh at around 1.30pm on Tuesday,” a garda spokesman said.

Anybody with information is asked to contact Cobh Garda Station on 021-4811333.