LISTEN: Women tied up and beaten with bats in Ballynahinch robbery

By David Hunter

Two women have been tied up at a house in Ballynahinch, where a young child was present. 

Police say three masked men forced their way into the property in Dunmore Road sometime between six and nine last night. 

One woman suffered injuries to her head and body after being beaten with a baseball bat. 

Both women and a child were taken to hospital, but the minor was not injured in the incident.

The suspects fled after ransacking the property. 

LISTEN: MP Jim Shannon has urged anyone with information to go to the police. 

Detective Sergeant James Johnston said: "We received a report just before 9:25pm last night that three masked men forced entry to a house in the Dunmore Road area earlier that evening, sometime between 6pm and the time it was reported to us. 

"It was reported one of two women inside the house, aged in her 30s, was assaulted and beaten with a baseball bat; sustaining  injuries to her head and body.

"Both women had their hands and feet tied with cable ties and both were locked in rooms in the house. A young child who was in the house at the time was uninjured. 

He continued: "This must have been a terrifying and horrific ordeal for these women who have been left traumatised. 
 
"Our enquiries are at an early stage, and I want to make a number of appeals today.  

"Were you in the Dunmore Road area around this time last night, between 6pm and 9pm? Did you see any strange vehicles in the area? Did you seen three men in the area acting suspiciously?

“ If you have information you believe may assist our investigation contact detectives in Ardmore."