The burglars struck on Halloween night as Patrick McGahey, his fiancee Karen McGuigan and their daughter Seaneen (3) were out watching a fireworks display.

Their Hazelwood Avenue home in the Poleglass area was ransacked and £500 of Christmas savings taken, along with a plasma screen TV and a number of video games consoles.

A new pram belonging to Mr McGahey's pregnant sister was also taken.

"We went out of the house at six o'clock, and when we got back to the house at about 11.30/11.45 everything was away," said Mr McGahey.

"The house was wrecked, they were in the drawers searching.

"All Seaneen's toys we had in for Christmas were taken, and her Nintendo DS - she only got that in October for her birthday.

"The house was a complete mess, they'd tipped over everything as they searched through the house.

"It took us over two hours to clean the house."

It is thought that the burglars may have entered the property through a bedroom window and that ladders may have been used.

Mr McGahey (27), who cannot work due to disability, said the family had been left badly out of pocket by the burglary, as he had no insurance.

"I have no money, I don't know what I'm going to do for Christmas," he said.

And he said that Christmas had been completely ruined for them by the theft.

"We are just distraught, I can't sleep in my own house," he said.

"Seaneen's just walking about the house asking for her wee computer. That was her heart content playing her game.

"I'm just devastated. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy."

A PSNI spokeswoman said that police in Lisburn are investigating a burglary at a house in Hazelwood Avenue late on Thursday night.

"A number of items were stolen including a 50" LCD television, a sum of cash and a Nintendo DS game console," she said.

Police are appealing for anyone who may have any information or who may have been offered similar items to contact them at Lisburn on 0845 600 8000.

Information can also be passed to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.