Gardaí are looking for a gang that burst into a house in Athlone, Co Westmeath, last night and made off with cash, jewellery and a 4X4 vehicle.
A man, woman and their four children were in the house between 8.15 and 8.30 p.m. in Lady's Well, Glasson, Athlone, when four men broke in.
They were armed with a sledge hammer, a baseball bat and two iron bars, and wore balaclavas and gloves. They left in a BMW X5 with an 04 D registration, which was stolen during the burglary.
The also took an undisclosed amount of cash and some jewellery. The house lies between the village of Glasson and Glasson Golf Club.
A Garda spokesman said: "Anyone who may have seen something that they consider to be relevant in this area between 8 and 9 p.m. or who may have seen the car leaving the scene are asked to contact gardaí in Athlone on 090 6494427".
