Husband (78) shot robbers

Two armed robbers fled an isolated post office after the postmistress's 78-year-old husband blasted them with a shotgun, the …

Two armed robbers fled an isolated post office after the postmistress's 78-year-old husband blasted them with a shotgun, the High Court in Belfast heard yesterday.

The masked intruders suffered gunshot wounds but made off with about £200 from Turreagh post office, near Armoy, Co Antrim, on August 10th, said a Crown lawyer.

He was opposing a bail application by Mr Albert Taggart (49), Atlantic Road, Portrush, Co Antrim, who denied a charge of armed robbery.

Refusing bail, Mr Justice Higgins said the postmistress's husband, Mr Patrick McErlain, had discharged his firearm in defence of himself and his wife.