Gang rip €4,000 watch from wrist of man (71) as he prepared dinner in his home

Gardai attended the scene

Ken Foy Crime Correspondent

AN OAP had his watch stolen from him by callous thieves who barged into his home and threatened him with a knife during a terrifying ordeal.

The incident happened at the 71-year-old man's home in Newlands Drive, Clondalkin, as he was about to prepare his dinner.

It has emerged that he heard someone at his door and when he went to investigate, two men forced their way into the house and grabbed a large knife from the kitchen.

The thugs threatened to stab the man, and during the course of a brief struggle he suffered a cut to his face.

They continued to demand money, and when the OAP said he had none they threatened to kill him.

Eventually, they grabbed the Rolex watch from his wrist and also took his mobile phone before fleeing.

It is understood that the watch is worth more than €4,000 and has strong sentimental value to the man.

No money was stolen during the raid last Tuesday evening, and gardai said no arrests have yet been made.

Sources told the Herald it is "probable" that the raiders are from the locality and had knowledge of the victim before they targeted him.

The incident happened only 36 hours before a separate incident in Clonee, Co Meath, when an elderly woman was left traumatised after being bound and gagged during a terrifying raid on her home.

It is understood the raiders posed as workmen and were wearing high-vis jackets.

The 82-year-old woman was dragged upstairs where the men tied her hands behind her back and covered her mouth with duct tape.

They then ransacked the house.

When they found nothing of value, they returned to the woman and ripped the duct tape from her mouth.

They then took her around the house, demanding she show them where her valuables were hidden.

No arrests have been made in relation to that case either.

kfoy@herald.ie