Horrific overnight attack in Midlands

Gardai are investigating an aggravated burglary at the home of an elderly man in the midlands
It’s understood a retired farmer in his 70s was attacked by three men who broke into his house near Durrow, in Offaly, close to the Westmeath border, on Monday sometime between 8 and 9pm. 
The three young men threatened the man with a knife and demanded money. He was struck a number of times during ordeal, according to a member of the local community alert. 
The man, who didn’t want to be named, said “a man was attacked at about 8.30. Three men broke into his house.” He said: “They did box him around and beat him around.”  
The man was taken to hospital by ambulance and is understood to be badly shaken but not badly physically harmed during the ordeal.
It’s not known what was stolen in the burglary. Gardai investigations are continuing.