Age Action has warned older people to be on their guard after an attacker – claiming to be working for the charity -- gained entry to the home of a man in Dublin last night (February 27) and then beat him and robbed him.

Age Action is concerned for the well being of the gentleman who was attacked at Ballybough Court last night.  We wish him a speedy recovery.

In the wake of the attack, Age Action wants to warn older people that our staff and volunteers do not make unsolicited calls to people’s homes.  “The only Age Action representatives who call to people’s homes are those collecting stock for our charity shops and volunteers from our Care and Repair home DIY and home visitation service,” Age Action chief executive Robin Webster said. “In these situations they would only call following a prior appointment having been made by the older person.  All such representatives carry photo identification cards.”

Age Action is urging older people to treat Age Action representatives calling to their homes the same way they would treat any other unknown visitor.  They should keep the chain on their door while demanding to see photographic identification.  This should be taken inside and the door closed if they need time to examine the card closely.  If in doubt, the older person should phone the telephone number on the card.  Older people should not let anybody into their home until they are 100% certain of their identity.

“Age Action regrets that the name of an organisation which strives to improve the quality of older people’s lives should be used so cynically to dupe and terrorise an older person,” Mr Webster said.  “Our sympathies are with the victim and his family.”