AN elderly woman who was tied to a fence and beaten during the burglary of her home would have died if she had not managed to free herself, according to gardai.

The victim (68), who lives in a rural area near Ardmore in west Waterford, is said to be in deep shock following the savage attack. Three men are being sought by gardai and between €6,000 and €7,000 was taken in the robbery.

A garda spokesman said there have been no developments in the investigation and it was "still continuing".

Gardai are hoping to interview the woman, who is still in hospital with injuries, which were described as not life-threatening.

But she was said to be extremely shocked.

Targeted

The woman may have been targeted for the robbery because she lives alone.

The men broke into her house at Drumgelane, Grange, at about 4.30am on Saturday.

They used a window at the back of the house to gain access and demanded cash, which she handed over.

She was then dragged outside into her back yard, tied to a stake and beaten.

The culprits searched the house for more money, but left when they could not find any.

They returned to the elderly woman, who was stilled tied up outside, and beat her again.

A short time later, the woman managed to free herself from the ropes and called gardai.

Had she not freed herself, detectives said the woman's life would have been in danger due to the low temperatures on Saturday morning.

The assailants are said to be in their 20s, with one of the three having a larger frame than the others.

The victim is recovering in Waterford Regional Hospital, where gardai hope to question her again when appropriate.

Gardai have urged anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area between 2am and 5am on Saturday to come forward immediately.

Horrific

Garda Inspector Paul Heffernan, from Dungarvan Station, said the woman suffered "an absolutely horrific ordeal", adding "the whole community in the area is shocked".

It is understood the single woman does not have a wide family circle in the area.

Last month, Paddy Barry, the grandfather of TV magician Keith Barry, died following a robbery at his Waterford home.

His heartbroken grandson later called for tougher laws to tackle criminals who break into pensioners' homes.

"Anybody who enters a pensioner's home uninvited should [get] a mandatory sentence, without bail, without excuses," he said.

comurphy@herald.ie

- Cormac Murphy