Attackers tried to burn elderly Keady man alive

POLICE are investigating the attempted murder of a man in his 70s - who was doused in a flammable liquid by his attackers before they sparked a fire.

The elderly man was subjected to a horrifying ordeal at his Keady home on Thursday night, 11th December.

His home and car were destroyed in the resulting fire and he was savagely beaten as he tried to make his escape.

He is now undergoing treatment in hospital for a range of injuries.

At around 7.35pm, it was reported that six masked men armed with bats entered the living room of the man’s home on the Clay Road.

Police said, “The intruders proceeded to attack the man, who is aged in his 70s, with the bats continuing the assault as he lay on the floor. One of the men ransacked the upstairs of the home while the attack was ongoing.

“They then poured accelerant over him and around his home before sparking a fire.

“The injured man managed to run past his attackers, out of the burning building, and make it outside where he was attacked with bats again in the yard of the property.”

It’s believed the suspects made their escape in a dark-coloured vehicle possibly an estate car.

The badly injured man then managed to make his way to the roadside and raise the alarm with a passing member of the public

Police and NI Fire and Rescue Service attended. The home and the injured man’s vehicle were destroyed by fire.

Detective Inspector Moffett said: “This was a terrible ordeal for this man who was subjected to a savage beating and has now lost his home. He remains in hospital at this time for treatment to a range of injuries.

“We have launched our investigation and we are increasing our anti-burglary patrolling, particularly in our border areas, however we do also need the public’s help to prevent these crimes and to identify the people responsible for this heinous crime.

“If you captured CCTV, doorbell, dashcam or any footage in the Keady area on Thursday evening, please get in touch. Police can be reached any time by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency or if a crime is in progress.”

Information relating to these or any other crimes can also be online via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/

You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org/