This article is from page 1 of the 2007-11-27 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 1 JPG
TWO elderly men living alone fell victim to a conman who called to their homes posing as a priest and demanded money in Bodyke and Broadford on Sunday afternoon.
The man, wearing a priest’s collar, called to the two homes, shortly after
2pm on Sunday, claiming he was the new priest in the area.
In the Bodyke home, he ordered his 73-year-old victim to change his trou- sers in order that he could take pos- session of his wallet, which were in the trousers he was wearing. He took the wallet which is believed to have contained at least €200 in cash.
An 85-year-old man was targeted in the Broadford area a short time later. The ‘priest’ told him he was “the last of the old priests” and also sought the man’s wallet. Gardai believe he didn’t succeed in taking hold of that man’s money.
Gardai believe the man is in his 40s and are appealing for anyone who
may have seen a blue Volvo car in the Bodyke or Broadford areas on Sun- day afternoon to come forward.
“This was a devious crime. These were two vulnerable people. We have received two reports from two men who live on their own. We are satis- fied the motive was monetary gain,” said a garda source.