Two children and their grandad threatened at knifepoint in Tallaght

By Mary Dennehy

INVESTIGATIONS are currently underway into a frightening home invasion in Tallaght that saw two children and their grandfather threatened at knifepoint by a lone raider, The Echo has learned.

The burglary, which happened last Monday, March 27, at around 8pm, saw a man gain entry to the family home in Sundale after smashing the patio door at the back of the house.

The children’s parents believe that the street was being watched, as the father had just left the house before the burglary to drop his wife to work.

The mother of the two children, who are aged four and seven, told The Echo: “The children were upstairs in bed when they thought they heard a smashing sound.

“However, their grandfather thought it may have been something out on the road and tried to comfort them.

“We believe that the burglar maybe thought that the house was empty because the car was gone and when he heard people talking upstairs he took a knife from our kitchen and went up to our children’s room.

“A knife was missing from our kitchen, so that’s why we believe he used one of ours.”

She added: “When he entered the room he threatened our children and my father with the knife and told them to stay quiet, not to talk or shout or say anything.

“He told them not to call the gardai and my daughter has told us that he also said he would shoot them if they made any sound.”

After holding the family at knife-point, the burglar made his escape on foot with a wallet, some money, a small handbag belonging to the young daughter and a bunch of keys – the latter two items have since been found dumped.

During the incident, the next-door neighbour noticed that the back door was smashed and called the parents, who contacted the gardai.

“The gardai arrived and reassured the kids, who were crying and very afraid and panicked,” the mother said.

“My father was also very shocked after the incident.”

She added: “My children were already nervous after our car was robbed from outside our house in December, while we were also at home.

“The children are doing okay this week but are very nervous.

“It’s so sad that families are made to feel this way in their own home, especially children.”

Confirming the burglary to The Echo, a senior Garda source said that the children and grandfather were threatened with a weapon and that officers are liaising with the family.

The scene was also swept for evidence and an investigation is currently underway.

The source said that Tallaght Garda Station is dealing with two to three home burglaries a day, with a number of arrests being made over recent months.

This week alone, in two separate incidents in Tallaght, two men were arrested after being caught in the act of burglary – with both due to appear before the courts.

Anybody with information on the burglary in Sundale on Monday, March 27, is encouraged to contact Tallaght Garda Station on 6666000.