Posted online: Feb 1st, 2010

THUGS who robbed an 87-year-old County Derry woman and dragged her by the hair when she tried to escape have been branded “a bloody disgrace”.

Five men in balaclavas forced their way into the pensioner’s home at Roe Mill Road in Limavady shortly before 7.30pm on Sunday evening.

It is understood the woman, who only recently returned to her home after spending some time in a rest home, almost managed to escape however she was dragged back into the house by her hair.

One of the men stayed with the woman, who lives on her own, while the others ransacked her bedroom and went through her handbag before escaping with a sum of money.

 “This must have been locals,” said United Unionist Coalition councillor Leslie Cubitt. 

“How would they know she lives on her own?  I hope these people are caught and when they are they go to court and the magistrate hands out appropriate sentences.

“They have scared the daylights out of this woman.  These are five thugs targeting a defenceless, elderly lady who can’t defend herself.

“These thugs are probably on drugs and are looking for money for drugs.  They are scum, they are not human.  What sort of home do they come from?  They are a bloody disgrace to the name of Limavady.

“I would appeal to anyone who was in the Roe Mill Road area between 7.30pm and 8pm on Sunday evening to contact the police immediately.”

SDLP councillor Gerry Mullan described the incident as “absolutely disgusting”.

“This is a particularly disgusting incident because in the course of the escapade they dragged this lady by the hair when she almost escaped,” said councillor Mullan. 

“For five people to collaborate to rob this lady is absolutely revolting.

“I sympathise with the family.  This woman is probably very traumatised by the whole incident and the worse aspect of this is that she probably won’t be able to live on her own again.”