Aggravated burglary in Sligo leaves man in his 70s on life support

Gardaí are appealing for anyone with information to contact them immediately.

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to come forward following an aggravated burglary which has left the victim on life support At approximately 7pm, Tuesday 18 January, three masked men forced their way into a private house on the N59, Skreen, Co. Sligo. The sole resident of the house, Thomas Niland, aged 73, answered a knock to his front door and was immediately and viciously assaulted and a small sum of money was stolen. The culprits left Tom with serious head and upper body injuries. Tom managed to crawl from his home and alert passing motorists. Gardaí were then alerted by his neighbors. Tom was then transferred to Sligo University Hospital where his condition has deteriorated significantly. Tom is now in a critical condition and on life support. Gardaí believe that the attackers arrived in a car, which reversed into the driveway of Niland's house. A large scale criminal investigation was launched, and an incident room has been established at Sligo Garda station. An Garda Síochána have recovered hours of CCTV footage, taken a number of statements and developed a number of lines of enquiry to date including forensic analysis of the scene by Scenes of Crime Officers supported by the Garda National Technical Bureau. An Garda Síochána have said that "no stone will be left unturned" in the investigation into the assault. Gardaí are appealing to every person who was driving along the N59 (Sligo/ Ballina Road), in the Skreen area, on Tuesday 18 January between 4pm – 8pm, who may have dashcam or any other video footage to contact investigating Gardaí. Gardaí are also appealing for any person, who noticed any activity by persons or vehicles which drew their attention, in the wider N59 Skreen locality to contact Gardaí with that information, whether you think it is related to this investigation or not. "There are people out there who know who was involved in this aggravated burglary and serious assault on an elderly man in his home," said Superintendent Mandy Gaynor from Sligo Garda Station. "Thomas Niland and his family deserve to have these criminals who carried out this heartless act brought to justice. "If you have any information on this callous and cowardly crime please contact Sligo Garda Station on 071 915 7000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station."