ALERT: Manhunt underway as pensioner is tied up in his home and large sum of money is stolen

Gardaí are on the hunt for three masked men who burgled a house in rural County Kilkenny and tied up an elderly man before making off with a quantity of cash.

The shocking incident took place at approximately 5.20pm on Monday at a house at Aughamucky, Castlecomer.

Three masked men entered the house through an unlocked back door and using cable ties tied up the owner.

The occupant of the house, who is in his late seventies, was on his own at the time of the horrifying ordeal.

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Some time after the masked men had left the man managed to free himself and raise the alarm with neighbours who alerted the emergency services.

The injured party was taken by ambulance to St Luke's Hospital in Kilkenny where he was treated for minor injuries.

The three culprits left the scene on foot and are believed to have had a car parked a short distance away.

A scenes of crime examination has taken place.

Anyone who was in the area at the time and saw anything suspicious or has dashcam footage is asked to contact Kilkenny gardaí on (056) 777 5000.