A pensioner has suffered a suspected fractured skull after he was hit over the head with bolt cutters during a burglary.
The 72-year-old was attacked outside his house in Co Kildare on Tuesday night as his terrified wife locked herself in and called 999.
They were first alerted by dogs barking at their property at Adrass Lower, near Celbridge.
When the man investigated he was confronted by at least two males and was struck on the head.
Gardai believe the raiders were using the bolt cutters to access a shed after a scrambler bike he had advertised online.
As emergency services were alerted, some of the burglary mob left the scene on foot. But one culprit fled on the motorobike.
A teenager, from Ballyfermot in West Dublin, was arrested and was taken to Leixlip Garda station.
The victim was taken to Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown and while his injuries are serious, he spoke to relatives yesterday
Last night, Fianna Fail Councillor Michael Coleman said: “There can be no place for these people to hide. What they are is cowards and bullies. It is disgusting and frightening what’s happening.
Kildare TD James Lawless added: “I hope the man is OK. It’s a disgraceful attack on a man of that age, to be treated that way is horrific.”
A garda spokesman said: “Gardai are appealing to any person who may have information in relation to this incident to come forward.
“Any person who may have noticed any unusual activity in the Adrass Lower area last night is asked to make contact with investigating gardai.
“Any road users who were travelling in Adrass Lower between 9pm and 10pm and may have camera footage, including dash-cam, are asked to make this footage available to Gardai.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Leixlip Garda Station on 01 666 7800, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Station.
The aggravated burglary comes less than a month after the brutal attack on pensioner Tom Niland, who remains on life support.
The 73-year-old was savagely beaten by a gang who burst into his isolated home in Skreen, Co Sligo, at around 7pm on January 18.
The cowardly thugs fled with just a few hundred euro after the vicious assault.
Mr Niland, who suffered a smashed eye socket and broken ribs, managed to crawl from his home and flagged down a motorist.
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