Gardaí have launched a man hunt for three people believed to be involved in an aggravated burglary in Co. Westmeath.

It is understood an elderly couple were threatened with a knife in the incident at their home in Ballynacargy. The man is 75 and the woman is aged 80.

Around €500 was stolen in the incident. The robbery took place in the Churchtown area at about 1:15am on Saturday morning.

One of the raiders knocked the woman to the ground and attacked her deaf husband with a knife. The woman then ran from the home and stopped a passing motorist for help.

The community is said to be in shock at the incident.

Mullingar gardai are appealing for information and can be contacted on 044-938-4000.