Elderly man in hospital after Cobh robbery

Gardaí yesterday appealed to the public for assistance in tracking down the person or persons responsible for a robbery in which…

Gardaí yesterday appealed to the public for assistance in tracking down the person or persons responsible for a robbery in which a 92-year-old shopkeeper suffered a broken arm and other injuries and a large sum of cash was stolen.

Mr Will Carr, who runs Carr's shop on The Mall in Cobh, was returning to his premises at around 1.20 p.m. on Tuesday when he was assaulted, knocked to the ground and had his cash taken.

Yesterday Mr Carr's wife, Nonie told of her shock at hearing that her husband had been attacked and robbed. He was found lying on the ground by a local council workman who raised the alarm. He was taken to Cork University Hospital for treatment.

"His arm is broken and his ribs are badly bruised, while he also has cuts on his face. I spoke to him on the 'phone in hospital this afternoon and he sound good enough, but he must be very sore with so many injuries," said Mrs Carr.

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It is the second time that Mr Carr has been robbed. In January 1997, two armed and masked raiders broke into the Carrs' home and demanded money.

One of the men put a knife to Mr Carr's throat and the other man put a gun in his wife's mouth. They tied Mr Carr up and covered his mouth and nose with masking tape during the 10-minute ordeal before fleeing with a small sum of money.

Gardaí, who are hoping to interview Mr Carr today, have appealed to anyone who may have noticed anything suspicious in the Connolly Street/Mall area of Cobh on Tuesday to contact them on 021-4811333.

Barry Roche

Barry Roche

Barry Roche is Southern Correspondent of The Irish Times