Detectives are appealing for information and witnesses after the report of an aggravated burglary at an address in Ballynahinch last night (Friday 2 November).
Detective Sergeant James Johnston said: “We received a report just before 9:25pm last night that three masked men forced entry to a house in the Dunmore Road area earlier that evening, sometime between 6pm and the time it was reported to us.
“It was reported one of two women inside the house, aged in her 30s, was assaulted and beaten with a baseball bat; sustaining injuries to her head and body. Both women had their hands and feet tied with cable ties and both were locked in rooms in the house. A young child who was in the house at the time was uninjured. Both women and the child were taken to hospital.
“The three suspects fled after ransacking the property.
“This must have been a terrifying and horrific ordeal for these women who have been left traumatised.
“Our enquiries are at an early stage, and I want to make a number of appeals today.
“Were you in the Dunmore Road area around this time last night, between 6pm and 9pm? Did you see any strange vehicles in the area? Did you see three men in the area acting suspiciously?
“ If you have information you believe may assist our investigation contact detectives in Ardmore on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference number 1307 of 02/11/18.”
Alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.
Rogan worried after a spate of theft and armed burglary’s in recent days and weeks.
Sinn Féin MLA Emma Rogan has come out and described her shock and deep worry following a large number of high profile cases of theft and armed burglaries in South Down in recent days and weeks.
“This is incredibly worrying to hear” she said. “We have seen a number of high profile armed robberies in Ballynahinch, Ardglass and Clough as well as an increase in home burglaries in recent weeks.
“I would ask that due to this that all homeowners and businesses start to take action themselves to make sure they too do not become a victim.
“This action would include making sure doors and windows are secured when leaving houses, keeping keys of vehicles away from front doors, consider installing alarms and most importantly to report any suspicious activity that you see to the police”.
Police Concerned About Further Burgalries in South Armagh
Detectives investigating a series of burglaries in the South Armagh area yesterday, Friday 02 November, are appealing for information.
Detective Inspector Trevor Stevenson said: “Three houses in Crossmaglen, two in Chapel View and one on Newry Road and one on the Camlough Road in Newry were targeted in a series of burglaries which we are treating as linked at this time. Three men were also disturbed at a house in St Patrick’s Park in Camlough at around 8pm last night by a member of the public. The men fled the house and made off from the area in a black coloured Audi A6 car.
“Follow up enquiries have revealed that a similar black coloured car had been observed in the vicinity of the other burglaries. In the Newry Road incident a male knocked at the front door of the house at around 7pm while a number of other males entered the rear of the property and attempted to steal a handbag. They were disturbed by the owner of the property and made off empty handed in a black coloured car. Cash and 2 TVs were reported stolen in the other burglaries.
“I would ask anyone who noticed any suspicious activity at any of the locations mentioned or who has any information which could assist us with our enquiries to contact detectives in Newry on 101 quoting reference number 1181 02/11/18.
McGrath Says Burglarly Was Wicked Crime.
Commenting on the burglary, local South Down MLA Colin McGrath said: “This was a particularly wicked attack on two women in the safety of their home. The fact that a child was present in the house at the time too shows that the attackers had scant concern for anyone.
“The violation of anyone in their home is unacceptable. The level of violence displayed in this attack is despicable.
“I would urge anyone with any information to contact the PSNI so those involved can be held accountable for their action.
“My thoughts are with those involved in this attack after what must have been a very frightening and violent incident.”
Shannon Says Burglars Were Cowardly, Wicked and Obscene
Strangford MP Jim Shannon has condemned the aggravated burglary outside Ballynahinch as “cowardly, violent and obscene”.
He added: “That a gang of thugs should tie two women up and then beat them is totally outrageous and with a child present this further aggrevates the seriousness of the attack.
“The property where the attack took place is outside Ballynahinch and I would call the general public to think – did you see anything strange or different or a vehicle or group of people in a group. If so, tell the PSNI and put these evil cowardly thugs who carried out this attack before the courts and in prison where they belong!
“This is a serious aggravated assault and we have to ensure that this gang does not carry it out on anyone else and the only way of doing that is to make sure that they are caught.”
