GARDAÍ are investigating the assault of a man in his own home in Portarlington last week. The 58-year-old had been sleeping at his St Brigid’s Square home when he was woken up in bed and punched twice during the course of a burglary in the early hours of last Tuesday morning. The incident happened at around 2.40am. The burglar demanded money and grabbed the distressed man by his neck. He was punched in the face and ear. It is believed that entry was gained through an open window on the two-storey house. A ladder was taken from a neighbouring property and the culprit used it to get into an upstairs bedroom. The thug exited the house through the window and dumped the ladder in a neighbouring garden, making off with a small quantity of cash. The victim was treated at Portlaoise hospital. A garda spokesperson said detectives and local gardaí are investigating the crime and are “making every effort to identify the culprit”.