Gardai are continuing their efforts to track down the culprits who left a parish priest tied up and in fear during an aggravated burglary at a parochial house in Caherlistrane at the weekend.
A spokesperson for Galway Garda Station confirmed yesterday that so far no arrests have been made but that investigating officers are continuing their investigation and carrying out enquiries in an effort to catch the four suspects who are believed to have broken into the parochial house at around 9.30pm on Friday, March 22. The sole occupant in the house at the time, Fr Patrick O’Brien, was then tied up by the suspects who were all wearing balaclavas and gloves, while one was carrying a crow bar.
It is understood that the men then proceeded to ransack the house for about an hour before making off with a small sum of cash. Once alone, Fr O’Brien, who is in his sixties, managed to free himself and raise the alarm at a neighbour’s house. Gardai say Fr O’Brien was uninjured but was left shaken after his ordeal.
A description given by gardai reveal that one man was wearing a blue tracksuit top with faded white writing on the front, and jeans. A second and third male were wearing dark tops with jeans while the fourth male was tall, thin, and wearing all black clothes.
Gardai are renewing their appeal for witnesses who may have been in the vicinity of Caherlistrane between 9pm and midnight on March 22 and who may have seen anything unusual or suspicious to contact Tuam Garda Station with information by calling 093 70840, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
