Gardai are concerned that relatively lax security in rural bank branches, post offices and building society offices is attracting professional robbers from Dublin.
Almost £50,000 has been taken in 16 "jump-over" robberies from financial outlets in the midlands in the past nine months. The rate of the robberies increased markedly during the summer. Gardai believe this happened because the raiders realised how easy it was to carry out the robberies.
In almost every case, the robbers arrived in the towns in fast cars stolen earlier in Dublin. They walked into the bank, building society or post office, jumped across the counter and threatened staff with knives, chisels or screwdrivers.
They have used balaclavas, motorcycle helmets, or dark glasses to disguise themselves.
Gardai investigating the robberies believe the criminals involved have been driven out of Dublin by the high levels of security in banks and financial businesses in the city, where there are ceiling-to-floor barriers between staff and customers, making it virtually impossible to threaten staff. There are also better closed circuit television (CCTV) systems in the city.
The robbers do not use firearms; it is suspected they realise that such weapons are not necessary and if they were caught with firearms they would receive much longer sentences. They are content to take only the cash in the tills. As most tellers keep roughly similar amounts of money, the sums taken are usually between £2,000 and £5,000. In only two out of 17 such robberies in Westmeath, Meath, Offaly and Kildare were the robbers put off by security or other deterrents. In the 15 other cases since December 23rd last, they have escaped back to Dublin with money.
Navan has been worst hit by the daytime robbers. The Ulster Bank and First National Building Society have each been robbed twice and the Irish Nationwide was also robbed. Robbers struck the Bank of Ireland branches in Athboy, Co Meath, and Castlepollard, Co Westmeath, within a few hours of each other on June 23rd, making off with a total of £9,000.
Tullamore, Co Offaly, has been hit three times - in January, August and September, with the TSB branch being robbed twice and the ACC branch once. To counter the spate of robberies the Garda has set up an incident centre in Mullingar Garda Station under Supt Gerry Clifford. He has appealed to anyone with information about the robberies or the gangs responsible to contact officers at the station or to telephone 044 84069.
The gardai have yet to establish the identity of the main culprits. They believe at least two groups, possibly acting in concert, are responsible. Most of the vehicles used have been stolen in Dublin, and it is known that in the past, young criminals from west Dublin were responsible for similar robberies. It is also known that criminals from Northern Ireland with links to Dublin criminals have been travelling south and carrying out robberies.