CRIMINALS involved in two violent robberies in west Tyrone on Monday, may have escaped across the border into Donegal.
During the first incident, thugs robbed four elderly brothers and sisters in their home outside Clady at around 6 pm. Later that night, an insurance salesman was injured after being attacked and robbed in Castlederg.
In the Clady incident, a masked gang entered the property on the Tullymoan Road and held the family up using tools they found in the farm yard.
Castlederg Sinn Fein Councillor, Maolíosa McHugh, said he believes the culprits, who were last seen driving towards Clady village, may have crossed over the border into Donegal.
Meanwhile, an insurance salesman is recovering after being attacked and robbed in Castlederg.
The incident happened at around 9.30pm as the man was working on the Lurganbuoy Road, near the Kilclean border crossing into Donegal.
He was making a collection when he was approached by two men who demanded he hand over his money.
After a short struggle the man’s money wallet was stolen. Both of the thieves then walked off before fleeing in a car in the direction of the Castlefin border.
Cllr McHugh said the robbery again highlighted how vulnerable people can be living in border communities.
“This sort of thing needs co-operation between the police and the Gardai to end the influence these robbers can have.
“One does not know where they are coming from but it is clear they are utilising the border as part of their activities,” Cllr McHugh said.
Anyone who may have noticed anything suspicious on the Donegal side of the border on Monday can pass on any information they may have to their local garda station.
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