Six raiders armed with sticks tied up a couple and their two young sons in a raid which resulted in the theft of thousands of euros worth of cigarettes, writes Peter Gleeson.
The raiders, wearing balaclavas, burst into the home of cigarette salesman William Fogarty and his family at Graigue, Urlingford, in Co Kilkenny, shortly after 10 p.m. on Tuesday.
The intruders demanded cigarettes and cash.
They forced Mr Fogarty, and his wife and two sons, aged 15 and 11, into the garage.
They then tied them up and threatened them before making off with a large quantity of cigarettes and cash.
The raiders made a quick getaway in Mr Fogarty's van after they activated the burglar alarm in the house.
The family managed to free themselves after about an hour and raised the alarm.
Gardaí in Templemore are carrying out the investigation into the raid.
They located Mr Fogarty's van near Freshford, Co Kilkenny, yesterday morning.
Supt Jim Mulligan is leading the investigation.
He said it appeared to be an organised operation and he appealed for the public's help in solving the crime.
"This appeared to be a very organised operation and it was a very traumatic incident for the family," he said.
It is said the raiders had Dublin or Northern accents.
Supt Mulligan declined to say how many cigarettes were taken but said that the haul was substantial.