A South Roscommon man estimates he has lost a stone and a half in weight due to stress caused by a recent break-in at his lifelong family home.
After spending a day at Ballinasloe Fair, he outlined the shocking scene he arrived back to.
“I came back after half 10 at night, and I found the back door was forced open by a crowbar. I knew I had locked the door. They broke-in and ransacked the place,” the man told the Roscommon Herald.
He believes those who entered were searching for cash in a targeted attack, but he stated he doesn’t keep any.
A watch he owned, estimated at €600, was stolen from his attic.
“I never got a wink of sleep that night,” he said.
His appetite in the aftermath of the incident was also impacted by the stress, causing a sudden weight loss.
He has lived in the property since 1977, and the break-in was a huge blow for him.
With the help of a friend and his home help, he has started piecing his house back together.
A new lighting system for added security has been added, a substantial investment.
Despite being left traumatised by the ordeal, he said he was “one of the lucky ones,” and warned others to stay vigilant.
