Parish Priest accosted by burglars in Kilcloon

Dunboyne Gardai are investigating an aggravated burglary at the home of Kilcloon Parish Priest, Fr Gerard Rice, on Monday evening. At around 6.30pm, Fr Rice answered a call to the front door of the parochial house to find three males at the door who demanded money. “There were three fellas at the door. They said 'We are not going to hurt you, we want money',†said Fr Rice. He said he told them he had no money but they searched his shirt pocket, which they ripped, and took a small amount of cash. Fr Rice said the trio kept him in the hallway and one of the men searched his bedroom but he had no money in it. According to Fr Rice, two of the men were wearing hoodies around their faces. The third man did not have his face covered and Fr Rice said he had a 'smig'. Fr Rice asked him where he was from, and the man replied that he was from Celbridge. Fr Rice estimated the culprits were in their late teens or early 20s and said they spoke with a neutral midlands accent. He did not see what vehicle they made their escape in. Dunboyne Gardai are investigating the incident and anyone with information, or who noticed suspicious activity in the area at the time, is asked to contact Dunboyne Garda Station.