Armed raiders have stolen an estimated €250,000 from a bank in West Dublin. Three masked men entered the Ulster Bank branch in Palmerstown shortly after 5.15 p.m. this evening.
The men are understood to have used a van to ram the back door of the bank.
They are reported to have cut the lock on the gate before ramming bank's doors. The van was reinforced with what is said to be bull bars.
The three men then entered the bank and took the money from the frightened staff. They are also believed to have taken money from several customers.
The men then made their getaway on what gardaí described as two high-powered motorcycles one of which was found a short distance away.
The men are reported to have made off with what gardaí described as "a substantial sum of money" believed to be in the region of €250,000.
Gardaí in Ballyfermot are investigating the incident and are understood carrying out forensic tests on the recovered motorcycle.