The masked men entered a farm in Kildangan, Tullamore, Co Offaly around 8pm and attacked a man in his 70s, demanding money.

He was hit a number of times over the head with what was believed to be a stick. A knife was also held to his throat, Gardaí reported.

"This was a very frightening incident for anybody, especially for a gentleman of that age living alone," Garda Sergeant Graham Kavanagh told Midlands 103 radio.

All three men are described as being 5’6” in height, in their 20s and spoke with local accents.

The injured man was treated for shock and minor injuries at the Midlands Regional Hospital and later released.

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses who might have been in the area or travelling on the main Tullamore to Clara Road between 7.30pm and 8.30pm to contact Tullamore Garda station on 057-932 7600 or the Garda Confidential line on 1800 666 111.

Sgt Kavanagh said Gardaí were looking for reports of suspicious activity including cars driving at speed or erratically on the Tullamore-Clara road or in the Durrow area, as well as CCTV or dashcam recordings from people in the area.

"This is a particularly vicious crime, especially in the light of the incident with Richie McKelvey a few weeks ago," he said. Last month, another farmer was savagely assaulted in his home in Brosna, also in Co Offaly.

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