Shock and revulsion that popular Pat Gillespie was robbed in his own own last night. PIC BY NORTH WEST NEWS PIX
DETECTIVES in Strabane are appealing for witnesses following a report of a burglary at the home of popular Pat Gillespie in the Railway Street area of the town last night, Friday, October 27.
There has been outrage and revulsion that the 101-year-old was targeted by three low-life thieves who robbed him of cash.
Scenes of crime officers and police have carried out a detailed examination of Pat’s home in the hope of picking up fingerpints or DNA clues to the robbers.
Detective Constable Richard Donnell said: “Police received at a report just after 9:30pm that earlier that evening the occupant of the house, an elderly male, was confronted by three men who had forced their way through a back window.
“This was a disgusting and cowardly attack in which the intruders left with a quantity of cash.
“Thankfully, the man was not physically injured during the incident, however, he has been left shaken by the ordeal.
“We are appealing for anyone who was in the Railway Street area last night and saw anything suspicious to contact detectives at Strabane Criminal Investigation Branch on the non emergency number, quoting reference 1623 27/10/17, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
Pat’s son-in-law Danny Kelly said yesterday that there was a feeling that Pat may have known his attackers.
“They seemed to know that he may have a few pound on him and that’s what they went for. They were masked and didn’t say a word.
“They took the panic alarm off him very quickly and that was found on the floor later.
101 yr old Pat Gillespie with some of his memorabilia at his home in Strabane after his ordeal. (North West Newspix)
“We feel it’s all a bit suspicious that they didn’t ransack the house or go through the drawers looking for more money.
“Pat is so well-known and he uses his electric scooter around the town. They could have been watching him and they could even know him,” said Danny.
Son-in-law Danny added “How can anybody plan to do such a thing to a man who is one hundred years old or anybody else for that matter.
“Pat is such a lovely man living out the final years of his life and hopefully did will not affect him too much but we are obviously very worried for him.
“Hopefully the police can get enough evidence together to find out who did this and bring them to justice.”
Pat is well-known through the border town where he visits his late wife Eileen’s grave every day to pray.
He dabbles is fixing old bikes and cars and even has a mini-transport museum at his museum which thankfully his attackers did not damage.
Sinn Féin West Tyrone MLA Michaela Boyle says that there is revulsion throughout Strabane at the news that one of the town’s best known and much-loved characters was the subject to a robbery ordeal.
She said: ““People are numbed and revulsed at hearing the news that Pat has been subject to this ordeal.
“While full details are yet to emerge as to what happened, I understand at this stage from some family members that the three assailants entered his home from the rear of the property and demanded and stole a sum of money from him.
“While Pat is said not to have been physically injured he is said to be understandably badly shaken.
“It is heart-breaking to think that Pat, who has been so selfless in giving of himself to the community and civic life of this town down through the years, has fallen victim to criminals whose sole motivation is pure greed.
“I would appeal to anyone who has information about this sickening robbery to contact the authorities so that whoever was responsible can be brought before the courts.
“Finally, I wish Pat a speedy recovery from the terrible ordeal he has suffered.”
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