They are appealing for witnesses.
An investigation has been launched in Cork after two elderly siblings were robbed at knife point in their own home.
84 year old Mary O’Halloran and her 79 year old brother Gerry “got an awful fright” after the two were robbed at knife point when the thief threatened to stab them unless they gave him money.
He also ut the telephone line and removed bulbs from fittings during the incident, which occurred at Gerry’s home on the northside of Cork on Boyce’s Street in Gurranabraher
Mary is now recovering in her home in Ballyphehane, Cork, while Gerry is still being treated at the Mercy University Hospital as he is still shaken from Sunday’s events.
Speaking to RTÉ, Mary said they “got an awful fright”.
"I knew there was something wrong when the light was on… Says I to Gerry 'Is there something wrong?' says he 'There is, I'm getting attacked.'" An 84-year-old woman robbed at knifepoint alongside her 79-year-old brother says they "got an awful fright" https://t.co/YoURFavRM0 pic.twitter.com/7DZZSQTdu3
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) February 14, 2022
“I’m not feeling too bad today but trying to get over it. Gerry is still in hospital. He was not hurt but is shaken so they kept him in and I went home as I am looking after my sister as well,” she said.
Mary revealed that she visits her brother to help him get ready, and when she tried to get in on Sunday, the thief had blocked the door before she shoved her way in after Gerry shouted to call the Gardaí.
The thief then threatened them with “a long knife with a blade on it” and held it to both of the sibling’s throats and demanded money.
“We couldn’t do anything else but to give it because he was going to stab us.”
The man took €1,800 in cash and an alarm was made by home help who arrived not long after.
“He’s afraid inside in the hospital. I was talking to him on the phone. The girl let me talk to him because you are not let into the ward and he was still shaken he told me,” Mary said.
A GoFundMe has been set up by paramedics trying to raise €2,000, but has since exceeded €30,000.
Gardaí investigating the incident are now appealing for information and are looking to speak to anyone who was in the Boyce’s Street area or nearby streets between 6.30am and 9am on Sunday, February 13th and may have witnessed anything to come forward.
They are also appealing to any road users with dash cam footage in the Gurranabraher area at this time to make it available to them.
Anyone who may have information is asked to contact Gurranabraher Garda Station on 021-4946200, or any garda station.
