Tom Niland was physically assaulted on January 18th when burglars broke into his home in Skreen, Co. Sligo. At 7pm Niland answered a knock on his door and was confronted by three masked men who barged into his home. The assault left Niland with injuries to his head and upper body.
After flagging down a passing motorist, Niland was brought to Sligo University Hospital, where he is currently on life support after his condition deteriorated.
Local councillor Michael Clarke said the community is in shock, with elderly residents wondering "if they are going to be next."
Clarke called Niland "a lovely man, 6ft 2, a very fit active pensioner [who] had a long life ahead, who was a friend to everybody, would help anybody that needed help."
"We were never concerned about his health or being alone because he was such a strong man and such a fine man," Clarke said. "This is a terrible crime. These people that break into senior citizens' homes and assault them and rob them … there has to be proper deterrence put in place. We have to send a message to our senior citizens, that we hear them, we're concerned for them, and we're thinking about them now at this time."
"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 as gardaí renewed their appeal for information. "Thomas Niland and his family deserve to have these criminals who carried out this heartless act brought to justice."
Anyone with information should contact Sligo Garda Station on 071 915 7000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station.
