Three women were tied up and put into the boots of two cars during a violent robbery of a house in south Dublin at the weekend.
Gardaí are seeking two men in what appears to have been a failed robbery of the house on Victoria Road in Killiney.
While gardaí have not confirmed the victims' names, it is understood that the burglary was at the home of a wealthy businessman involved in the pharmacy trade.
Two men wearing balaclavas entered the house at about 11.15 p.m. on Saturday. It is believed that a married couple, their daughter and a friend of the daughter were in the house at the time. The raiders were carrying what the victims thought was a sawn-off shotgun, as well as a bar.
They struck the man on the head, knocking him unconscious. The three women were tied up and put into the boots of two cars belonging to the house occupants.
When the man regained consciousness, he called the gardaí and released the women from the cars.
The raiders appeared to have left with "very little", according to a Garda spokesman.
Some personal belongings described as "of little value" were missing.
He refused to speculate on whether the raiders were seeking something connected with the man's pharmacy business.
The spokesman said it appeared that the man was still unconscious when the raiders left so it is not clear why they fled without taking any valuables. Gardaí said the women had only been tied up for a short time when they were released.
One woman and the man were taken to St Vincent's Hospital. While they were shaken by the experience, it is understood that they were not seriously injured.
Gardaí have appealed for witnesses to the incident. However, as the house is relatively secluded and the incident happened at 11.15 p.m. passers-by may not have noticed anything strange.
One burglar was around six feet, two inches tall and was wearing a leather jacket. He was described as well built and was carrying what looked like a sawn-off shotgun.
His companion was about five feet nine inches tall and was wearing dark clothes.
Gardaí carried out a technical examination of the house and surrounding area yesterday. There was a large media presence outside the house yesterday morning but people entering and leaving made no comment.
This part of Killiney is an affluent location, lying between Vico Road and Killiney Hill. The singers Enya and Bono live nearby. Many houses are secluded, surrounded by large walls and gates.
Gardaí have asked anyone who was in the area on Saturday night and who may have seen something unusual to contact Dalkey Garda station - on 01-666 5450 - or any local station.
