Farmer (70s) robbed at knifepoint in terrifying rural burglary had €2,000 in cash and car stolen

A farmer in his early 70s was held at knifepoint and subjected to a terrifying ordeal during an aggravated burglary at his home in rural Co Mayo.

The incident happened at his home in Killasser, Swinford, between 7pm and 7.30pm yesterday evening.

Two men armed with a knife entered the property and threatened him.

The farmer, who lives on his own, thankfully wasn’t injured in the attack but he was left with no way of raising the alarm after the callous thieves removed his landline telephone and stole his Land Cruiser.

They also stole around €2,000 in cash as well as a sat nav.

They escaped the scene in the farmer’s own Land Cruiser, which they later discarded around 35 kilometres from the violent break-in.

It is understood the criminals discarded the stolen items “of no value” on the road before they abandoned the vehicle.

A garda manhunt is now underway for both men.

Gardaí have not yet established if the aggravated burglary was carried out by local criminals or whether one of the country’s organised burglary gangs were involved in the crime.

Officers in Mayo are appealing for witnesses following the incident which took place

“Two persons entered the property in Killasser armed with what is understood to be a knife,” gardaí said.

“The suspected offenders threatened the male occupant of the house. No injuries were sustained during the course of the incident.”

An Incident Room has been established at Ballina Garda Station.

Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have information in relation to this incident to contact them.

Any road users who were travelling in the vicinity of Killasser, Aclare, Tubbercurry, Coolaney and surrounding areas yesterday evening between 6pm and 8.30pm and who may have camera footage (including dash cam) is asked to make this available to investigating gardaí.

Any person who observed a 2004 Toyota Land Cruiser travelling in these areas is also asked to contact gardaí.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Ballina garda station on 096 20560, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.

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