Police have launched an attempted murder investigation after intruders “poured accelerant” over a pensioner in his home in County Armagh on Thursday evening.
A report was received that six masked men armed with bats entered the man’s living room on the Clay Road in Keady at about 19:35 GMT.
Det Insp Moffett said: “This was a terrible ordeal for this man who was subjected to a savage beating and has now lost his home.”
The man, who is in his 70s, remains in hospital with a range of injuries.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said the intruders attacked the man with bats “as he lay on the floor” and “then poured accelerant over him and around his home before sparking a fire”.
His vehicle was also destroyed.
He ran “past his attackers” into the yard where he was attacked again, they said, adding that one of the men “ransacked” the upstairs of the home during the attack.
The PSNI said they believe the suspects left in a dark-coloured vehicle, possibly an estate car.
“The badly injured man then managed to make his way to the roadside and raise the alarm with a passing member of the public,” police said.
Det Insp Moffett said: “We are increasing our anti-burglary patrolling, particularly in our border areas.”
“If you captured CCTV, doorbell, dashcam or any footage in the Keady area on Thursday evening, please get in touch.”
