A 39-year-old man from Northern Ireland told today how he was slashed with a knife during a robbery by a gang at his remote cottage.
Mr George Burke was attacked in his home near Fintona, Co Tyrone, around midnight while his 11-year-old son slept. Mr Burke said he had answered his front door after hearing a woman screaming. He then was pushed on to the floor as the gang of two men and a woman ransacked the cottage.
"My 11-year-old son was asleep and the woman shouted 'There's a child in the house'."They took a cash box containing a chequebook and other personal items. "They also made off with a wallet containing cash of between £150 to £200 and a watch of sentimental value.
"As they were leaving, I made a grab for the girl, but unfortunately she slipped through my fingers and one of the men came back with a knife.
"I'm very, very shaky after this attack. The house is a complete shambles. "Clothes have been thrown on the bedroom floor. They're all over the place and they ripped the telephone from the wall."
Mr Burke said he had suffered bruising to the right eye and ribs after being punched to the floor. He was slashed several times on the arm.
It is understood the gang had accents from the Republic.