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A pensioner (79) who spent six weeks in hospital after an aggravated burglary alongside his sister (84) is celebrating after he was given a new home.
The home on the northside of Cork came through a charity which assists in independent living for the elderly.
A thief broke in to the home of Gerry O’Halloran on February 13th last making away with his and his sister’s savings of €1,800. His older sister Mary visited Gerry at his home in Boyce’s Street in Gurranabraher shortly after 7.30am when the robbery was underway.
She was trying to open the door with a key but it was blocked. The robber, who was armed with a knife with a long blade, pulled back the door and grabbed Mary shoving her over by a bed.
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The thief kept the pensioners captive at knife point for an hour in what they both described as having been a terrifying experience.
Following the incident Gerry was too nervous to return home and efforts were made to secure alternative accommodation for him. He spent nine days in hospital and a further five weeks at the St Mary’s healthcare complex. Mary suffered a cut to a thumb in the attack.
Ms O’Halloran said that she was delighted when her brother was contacted by SHARE Cork which is a registered charity that raises funds to make existing houses for Cork city’s vulnerable elderly more comfortable.
Mary said that Gerry was thrilled with his new home off of Shandon Street on the northside of the city.
“He moved in today. They are just after taking down his stuff out of Boyce’s Street. We got an awful fright when it happened. And you still wouldn’t get over it yet. He is happy with the new place.”
Mary said that she would be forever grateful for the kindness shown to her and her brother after the shocking incident.
“People were very good. We are not too bad. We are getting over it. I still can’t believe it happened. Gerry was in hospital for six weeks.”
Mary, who looks after her brother and a sister, previously told Virgin Media News she could never have imagined the callous treatment that was meted out to them by the burglar.
A GoFundMe page set up by paramedics who treated the pair raised over €23,000 in less than a day for the impacted brother and sister.
Mary spoke to Virgin Media News again on Wednesday under happier circumstances.
Gardai are still appealing for information in a bid to trace the culprit. They are eager to speak with anyone who was in the vicinity of Boyce’s Street or neighbouring streets between 6:30am and 9am on February 13th .