A CO Limerick couple are recovering from a terrifying ordeal after an armed gang tied them up in their home at gunpoint before robbing their business.
Four masked men, two of whom were armed with a sawn-off shotgun and a handgun, entered the home of petrol station owners James and Lelia Beechinor in Kilmallock, Co Limerick at about 10pm on Sunday.
Ms Beechinor (36) was tied up and her husband (44) was forced at gunpoint to bring two of the raiders to the couple’s business, Beechinor’s Xpress Stop service station, on the Bruff Road in Kilmallock.
Two of the men remained with Ms Beechinor while her husband was forced to open the safe and hand over a substantial amount of cash to the raiders.
The amount of money taken in the raid has not been confirmed, but it is understood that a very large amount was seized.
Mr Beechinor was then returned home where he was tied up and left with his wife. He managed to free himself and his wife an hour later and the alarm was raised shortly after midnight.
Neither Mr Beechinor nor his wife were injured during the two-hour ordeal, but they were both said to have been traumatised.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Bruff Garda station on (061) 382940, or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.