Two elderly brothers who beat off raiders with just a brush have been targeted again.
Well-known farmers Jim and Eric Steele saw off a gang of four burglars who called to their home looking for cash.
The pensioners, aged 69 and 75, gave one raider a beating and chased them from their home on Main Street in Manorcunningham on Monday week last.
One of the attackers was injured and they fled empty-handed.
However the brothers have revealed they were set upon again just four days after they saw off the first gang.
Doors on the brother’s outhouses were broken, machines were damaged and oil was stolen in the second raid.
The brothers didn’t hear the break-in at the rear of their home and only discovered the damage and robbery the next morning.
Eldest brother Jim told Donegal Daily he suspects it could have been the same gang again.
He said he will deal with the raiders in “his own way” if they call back again.
“The first time I used a brush and gave one of them a good shot to the guts.
“They weren’t expecting that but this is our home and we will do all we have to do to defend it.
“The next time it might not be a brush if they come in here,” he warned.
Brother Eric said they are now taking in turns sleeping in case the gang come back.
“The guards can’t be everywhere so we have to look after ourselves and our property.
“We don’t have anything in our house but this is our home and we won’t be frightened out of it,” he said.
Nobody has been arrested in relation to the burglary on the Steele brothers’ home.
More than 20 burglaries have taken place across Donegal in recent weeks with a number of elderly people hurt during some of the raids.
A number of people appeared at Letterkenny District Court this week charged in connection with other alleged burglaries across Donegal.
All seven people were released on bail to appear at future court sittings.
Jim Steele said he was outraged when he heard that all suspects have been released.
“The Gardai are bringing these people before the courts and they are just allowed to walk free again.
“What kind of message is that sending out to old people living alone that these people are back out on the streets again,” he said.
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