Mary: ‘I’m just trying to get over it now’

An 84 year old woman has described the terror of being held at knife point during an aggravated burglary in Cork city.

Mary O’Halloran, who turns 85 in September, was visiting her brother Gerry, 79, at his home in Gurranabraher when the burglary took place on Sunday morning.

Speaking to PJ Coogan on ‘The Opinion Line’ on Cork's 96FM, Mary said she and her brother were not hurt during the ordeal but that her brother Gerry had been left badly shaken and was taken to hospital.

She said: “I’m just trying to get over it now. He had it up to my throat and Gerry’s because he wanted money off us. And we couldn’t do anything else then because we thought he’s going to stab us,” said Mary.

The burglar cut the house’s phoneline and removed a number of lightbulbs from their fittings before making off with close to €2,000 in cash.

Paramedics who attended the scene set up a GoFundMe campaign which reached over €31,000. It was later agreed with Mary to bring the fundraiser to a conclusion.

The GoFundMe page said: "The response has been incredible and both Mary and Gerry have asked me to convey their sincerest gratitude for your generosity.

“They are now hoping to put this trauma behind them and to get on with their lives. Thank you all so much for your kind messages and support."

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses following the burglary and are keen to speak with anyone who was in the vicinity of Boyce’s Street or neighbouring streets in Gurranabraher between 6.30am and 9am on Sunday.

They are also appealing to road users with video footage from the Gurranabraher area between those times, to make it available to them.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Gurranabraher Garda Station on 021-4946200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666111 or any garda station.

The investigation is ongoing.