A family was recovering last night after they were beaten, tied up and robbed by a gang of masked men in Co Wexford during a raid in which jewellery worth several hundred thousand euro was stolen.
The middle-aged couple, Bridget and Sonny Wall, were at their home at 8.45pm on Monday in Miltown, Ballycullane, about 12 miles from New Ross, when the five masked men gained access. The men threatened to kill them if they did not hand over the key to their safe.
The Walls are the owners of a well-known antique jewellery and furniture business in the village.
The couple were in the house with their adult daughter and two young granddaughters, aged 12 and 16, when the incident occurred.
The raiders forced their way into the house after Mrs Wall went to check when she saw men moving around outside the bungalow.
The men then beat the Walls with a bar about the head and face.
They took jewellery and money from family members before demanding the keys to the safe.
Mrs Wall said: "They threatened to kill me if we didn't hand over money and keys to the safe.
"One of the raiders got a scissors and said he would take out my eye if they didn't get the safe keys. He said he would kill me if I told him lies."
She said they then threatened to take her 12-year-old granddaughter with them if the keys to the safe were not handed over. When they found the keys the gang removed jewellery believed to be worth several hundred thousand euro.
They then smashed a number of security cameras around the house before escaping the scene in a vehicle.
The incident lasted for about 20 minutes.
The family eventually freed themselves and raised the alarm. They were taken to Wexford General Hospital where they were released a shortly afterwards.
Gardaí in New Ross are leading the investigation and have appealed for anyone who may have seen any suspicious vehicles or people around the area on Monday night or in the days leading up to the robbery to contact them on 051-421204.