The heartless thieves who attacked a 96 year old woman stole a “substantial” amount of money which she was saving to have new windows put in her home.
Frail pensioner Margaret ‘Greta’ Lilly is recovering at Letterkenny General Hospital after being punched and gagged by her attackers.
At least one man broke into her home at Aghilly, Buncrana in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The man, dressed in dark clothing and wearing a balaclava punched Ms Lilly in the ribs before escaping with her handbag.
The terrified pensioner, who lives alone, managed to raise the alarm by pressing a 24 hour panic alarm at 12.30am.
Sources last night revealed the thugs managed to get away with a “four figure sum” which Ms Lilly had saved for new aluminum windows at her home.
“Greta is very house-proud and she was so looking forward to having her old windows replaced.
“Her house is spotless and she had been planning for ages to get the new windows in.
“I doubt if she’ll be able to get them now,” said the source.
Ms Lilly remained at Letterkenny General Hospital today where she is described as being in ‘good form’ but ‘shook-up.’
Her injuries are not understood to be serious.
Ms Lilly does not have relatives living locally in Co Donegal but receives daily home help visits from the HSE.
Local TD Padraig MacLochlainn, who lives just 100 yards from the victim, said the local community will look after Ms Lilly when she finally gets out of hospital.
“There is a great community spirit in Buncrana and we will make sure she is looked after when she gets out of hospital.
“We will assist her and her family in any way to ensure security at her home is stepped up and that people call in to see her,” he said.
Gardai have been conducting door-to-door enquiries since Saturday’s raid as part of their overall investigation.
A Garda spokesman appealed for anybody who may have noticed anybody near Ms Lilly’s house on Friday evening or early Saturday morning to contact them.
However, a statement yesterday said there was “nothing new at this point” in regard to the investigation.
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