Attack victim Tom Niland was specifically targeted by a home invasion gang – after they were tipped off he was an easy target, gardai fear.
Sources have told the Irish Mirror that officers investigating the shocking attack on the 73-year-old that left him fighting for his life believe the culprits knew who he was – and that he had cash in the house.
‘We don’t believe this was random,” a source said last night.
“We suspect that he was targeted. We think somebody tipped off the culprits that he was a vulnerable old man who had a few quid in the house.”
Sources also revealed that Mr Niland, who is critically ill after the brutal assault at his home in Skreen, Co Sligo tried to fight off his attackers – but he was overpowered and then savagely beaten and kicked as he lay defenceless on the ground.
A source told the Irish Mirror: ‘Mr Niland did try to defend himself.
“They knocked on his door and he answered it as normal.
“But as soon as he opened the door they rushed him.
“He did put up a fight and defended himself.
“He fought back and it is likely he injured at least one of his attackers. But they quickly overpowered him.
“Then they kicked the living daylights out of him.”
It’s also understood the thieves – who had not been identified by gardai as of last night – dropped several hundred euro in coins and cash after they escaped following the January 18 attack.
A source said: “They got away with a few hundred quid, but they also left a good amount in the house.
“We don’t know if they panicked or got spooked, but they left at least €200 on the floor as they escaped.
“But, even if they had got all the cash in the house, it would not have been a fortune. You are talking well under €1,000.
Gardai are now conducting a massive investigation into the senseless attack.
It’s understood officers have harvested at least 1,100 hours of CCTV – all of which is being examined by specialist detectives who will be looking for even the smallest clue to identify the attackers.
It’s understood that as of last night, no firm suspects had been identified by investigators at Sligo Garda Station.
But sources did tell the Irish Mirror that they do not believe this was a random attack – and that the gang had been tipped off that Mr Niland lived alone and was vulnerable.
“We do not believe that this was some random attack,” a source said last night.
“His house was on the busy N59 road, it was not down an isolated boithrin.
“There would have been traffic on the road. It is not as if they thought they could go from house to house in the area until they got someone.
“The suspicion is that someone told the gang he was an old man and had access to cash. We think they were told he was an easy mark.
“He was deliberately targeted.”
Retired farm worker Mr Niland was attacked by three masked men when they called to his door at around 7pm on Tuesday January 18.
The gang subjected him to a brutal attack, before tying his shoelaces together to stop him raising the alarm.
The heartless thugs then drove off – before throwing his wallet out of their vehicle seven miles away.
Tom, who is on life support, was left with a smashed eye socket and broken ribs, managed to crawl from his home after they fled and flag down a passing motorist and has remained in hospital since.
He has been on a ventilator at Sligo University Hospital since Sunday night after his condition significantly deteriorated
His cousin Michael Walsh told the Irish Mirror: “It’s not looking good at all. I’ve seen many injuries in hospitals but this was something else, I think they stamped on his head, the injuries are grotesque.
“Everyone called him a gentle giant, it’s shocking.
“Tom was exceptional and he’d do anything for anybody.
“Even though he was 73, if you knew him you wouldn’t think he was that and if you saw him out building a wall or cutting hedges or doing all kinds of physical work for people, he was so willing to help.”
Superintendent Mandy Gaynor of Sligo Garda Station has appealed for help in finding his attackers.
She said: "There are people out there who know who was involved in this aggravated burglary and serious assault on an elderly man in his home.
“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."
