A dramatic ATM raid in Graiguenamanagh last week has the Gardai on the hunt for the culprits who escaped with an ATM machine from the Bank of Ireland in the town and a large sum of money.
A stolen JCB was used by the raiders in the robbery, which took place at around 5.30am on Friday morning last when the digger was driven directly into the front of the Bank of Ireland branch.
The branch is located directly opposite the Garda Station, which was closed at the time of the incident.
Gardai at Thomastown are appealing for the public’s assistance in connection with their investigation.The vehicles used in the crime have been identified as a Blue Metallic VW Golf R32, with the registration 08 D and blue BMW with the registration 94 D which was drawing a green metal trailer with twin axles. The ATM was loaded into the trailer.
The last positive sighting of these vehicles travelling in convoy was at Ballymurphy, Co Carlow at 6am. The vehicles, including trailer and ATM, were subsequently located at 7.30am on Sunday, June 14 last on a road between Croneybyrne and Moneystown Bridge road junction in the townlands of Trooperstown and Glenwood. These locations are near to Annamoe, Co Wicklow.
It is believed that the vehicles were stored or parked in a location such as a garage, lockup, open yard, lane or field between 6am on June 12 and 7.30am on June 14.
Gardai wish to appeal to anyone, particularly in Wicklow and Wexford, who may have seen these vehicles travelling either together or separately between these times.
Also any member of the public who may have been alerted to a noise similar to cutting equipment or an angle grinder being used in an unusual location or at an unusual time between those dates, is also asked to contact Thomastown Garda Station 056- 7754150, the Garda Confidential Telephone Line 1800-666-111, or any Garda Station.
The Bank of Ireland building was practically destroyed in the incident in which the mechanical digger plunged through the roof of the building dislocating a portion of the building along with the bank machine.
A man raised the alarm when he noticed something unusual while passing on his way to work at 5.30. He stopped his car and was threatened by the gang before he drove off and rang a family member who rang the Gardai.
By the time the Gardai arrived from New Ross, Thomastown and Kilkenny the raiders had escaped with the machine down High Street, and on towards Ballymurphy Co Carlow.
Gardaí have not specified how much money was taken in the raid but it is understood to be substantial.
The week before, thieves used a mechanical digger to steal an ATM from Mother Hubbard's restaurant near Moyvalley, Co Meath. It has not confirmed whether or not the two incidents were linked.
