Gardai are on the hunt for four masked men armed with knives and other weapons who ransacked a house while the residents were locked away in their bedroom.
The group, who were dressed in all black and each wearing a balaclava, stormed the Meath house last Wednesday night after 8pm on the Main Street in Dunshaughlin.
Gardai say the homeowners were threatened by the gang with their weapons before being forced into the room as they searched the house for valuables.
The residents received non-serious injuries and had several personal items snatched by the cruel thieves who fled the scene in a "small dark coloured car".
They are understood to have travelled in the direction of Navan after the horrific ordeal.
A Garda spokesman said: "On February 17, an aggravated burglary occurred at a residence on Main St, Dunshaughlin, Co Meath between 8pm and 8:20pm.
"Four males, dressed in all black and each wearing a balaclava, gained entry to the house.
"The occupants of the house were locked in an upstairs bedroom while these men searched the house for valuables."
He added: "The males left the scene in what witnesses have described as a small dark coloured car.
"The vehicle travelled in the Navan direction after leaving this house."
He concluded: "Gardai are appealing to anyone that was out walking in the vicinity of Dunshaughlin Business Park and Main Street Dunshaughlin that may have seen any suspicious activity or anyone that may have Dashcam footage to contact them at Ashbourne Garda Station on 01 8010600."
