A couple in County Down were left severely traumatised today after being attacked and robbed by a gang of masked men.
The intruders entered the house on the Upper Damolly Road in Newry in the early hours of the morning when the man and his wife were getting ready for bed.
The man was coming out of the bathroom when he was confronted by a masked man. A fight took place and four other men entered the house.
The gang had their faces covered and wore gloves. They assaulted the woman with a stick and demanded money and drugs. They also demanded the key to a gun cabinet, which they discovered while ransacking the house.
The gang stole three legally-held firearms, a firearms certificate and drugs including diazepam, which is used to relieve anxiety and muscle spasms.
The PSNI said the couple suffered minor injuries from the kicks and punches they received, and were severely traumatised by the incident. A spokeswoman appealed for anyone with information to contact detectives in Newry.