Just days after a long-term businessman said there was fear in the community following a burglary at his home, the house of an elderly lady was targeted in Belcoo over the weekend.

The house, in Loughview Drive in the village, was ransacked at some stage between 8pm on Friday, November 22 and 8.30am on Saturday, November 23.

Detectives are appealing for information and witnesses following the report of the burglary.

The owner of the house, Mary Nolan, was still in shock when speaking about the incident and said the break-in leaves everybody “on edge”.

Precious belongings including her mother’s wedding and engagement rings along with bank cards were taken during the burglary.

“I can’t believe it was done, in a housing estate especially,” said Mrs. Nolan, who was away for the weekend something she does quite regularly.

“I’m really shocked. I can’t believe it. I have no energy in doing anything. As the girls were telling me if they had come into the room if I was there, lucky enough I wasn’t I could have had a heart attack it would have been an awful scare.

“Its just a shock. I still can’t get it out of my head. I still can’t go in and tidy my own bedroom.”

Any knock on the door puts her on edge now, and when her son came to the house to check on her on Monday night and knocked on the door, she feared the criminals had returned.

“I thought don’t tell me they are back. I just stood at the door and said who’s there.”

While it is unclear the extent of what has been taken at this stage, police say “there is no doubt this has been a distressing experience.”

Sergeant Hicks said: “We are appealing to anyone with information, or who noticed any suspicious activity in the area on Friday night or Saturday morning, to contact us on 101 quoting reference number 458 of 23/11/19.”

Information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, which is 100 per cent anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.

Seven days earlier a safe with a sum of cash was taken from a house on the Lattone Road in the village. The house was also ransacked by those who broke in.

The owner of the house said that the break-in has had an effect on neighbours as many are elderly and live on their own.

“They are all trembling. It’s not just me, it’s everybody else. The affect it is having on people living close by.”

There has been an upsurge again in burglaries in rural villages and areas in recent weeks and there is a fear that in the lead up to Christmas there will more burglaries with the most vulnerable being targeted.

In a bid to deter burglaries, police have been carrying out beat patrols around estates throughout the county. Rural patrols are also being carried out as there have been reports of suspicious activity throughout Fermanagh.

Police are encouraging anybody who sees anything suspicious to ring 101 immediately.