FIVE armed and masked raiders escaped with over £12,500 in cash and jewellery when they held up guests at a Clonmel hotel early yesterday morning.
The men, who had Dublin accents, broke into the Minella Hotel in Clonmel, Co Tipperary, at 2.30 a.m. There were about 100 guests from Northern Ireland, England and the Republic staying in the hotel for the National Coursing Festival.
Ten guests were forced at gun point to hand over money and jewellery. Ms Elizabeth Nallen, daughter of the owner, was struck on the face and head with the butt of a gun when she said she did not have the keys to the hotel safe.
Ms Nallen, who was "bruised and sore" following the attack, said the guests were shocked and terrified. The hotel manager, Mr John Nallen, fired a shot as the gang escaped in a red sports car. The car was later found burned out in Lucan, Co Dublin.