Opinion

Bravery of 100-year-old Pat Gillespie

It is difficult to believe that anyone, no matter how desperate they might be for cash, would be prepared to target a gentleman who is due to celebrate his 101st birthday shortly.

However, the thugs who broke into the Strabane home of Pat Gillespie showed no hesitation in threatening and assaulting him and escaping with £500 from his pension money.

It was a despicable act but Mr Gillespie, a popular figure in his home town and also a respected charity worker, has vowed not to live in fear and has already been out and about again on his bike.

His fortitude is in sharp contrast to the cowardly behaviour of his attackers, who deserve to be tracked down and given custodial sentences without delay.