Galway family 'lose everything' as home ransacked and robbed three years after petrol bomb attack
‘For three years we have taken turns staying awake out of fear that we would be petrol bombed again, and now this has happened. It’s no way to be living, it’s mental torture’
A Galway family have “lost everything” after their home was ransacked and robbed - three years after the same house was petrol bombed and the family nearly burned to death inside.
The Gaffey’s house in Ballinasloe was targeted by thieves over the weekend, while the family were away, who gutted the house of their belongings of 20 years.
They have now been forced out of their own home at Curragh Park which Kelly Gaffey shares with her mam, dad, sister and her four year old son.
Kelly told Galway Live: “This is what happened to our home. We were robbed and they stole everything belonging to us while we were away. A family member sent me a picture of the outside of the house and everything is smashed to bits and broke up - and all of our items for the last 20 years are gone.
“We were already nearly burned to death three years ago after a petrol bomb attack, and now this.
“We are left with nothing, all my son's stuff has been taken - TV, computers, lawnmowers, fridge, table, wardrobe, chairs - literally everything. My mam also had a nervous break down over all this and is currently getting treatment.”
Before the burglary, the Gaffey family were still living in fear from the petrol bomb attack that happened in 2023 adding that they would take turns staying awake for fear it may happen again.
She continued: “I’ve a four year old son, we’ve had to leave the area for our own safety. We were nearly burned to death before in our own beds. We still have burn marks from the petrol bomb attacks: the front door, skirting boards and some of the walls and window sills are still scorched.
“For three years we have taken turns staying awake out of fear that we would be petrol bombed again, and now this has happened. It’s no way to be living, it’s mental torture.”
Galway Live has contacted gardai for a statement.