'Insider' knowledge suspected in ATM gang raids

Gardaí investigating the recent raids on cash in transit vans delivering to ATM machines are exploring the possibility that the armed gangs responsible may be receiving "insider" information from individuals with knowledge of the delivery times and locations of large quantities of cash.

In the last 10 months the robberies have become much more frequent and have netted those responsible more than €3 million. The armed raids have now reached their highest levels for 15 years.

Gardaí investigating the raids have seized firearms and stolen car keys for up to 40 new high powered cars at a premises in Finglas. A pistol and a sawn-off shot- gun were discovered at a disused shop on Cappagh Road, Finglas, along with the car keys and an estimated 60 rounds of ammunition for both weapons.

Senior Garda sources said they believed the weapons belonged to a Finglas-based gang, members of which have carried out or organised most of the recent cash in transit robberies. The gang is headed by two Finglas brothers who are well-known to gardaí.

One man in his 50s was arrested at the scene when gardaí from the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NBCI) raided the premises at around 4 p.m. on Monday. It is understood the man had been living at the premises. He was taken for questioning to Blanchardstown Garda station where he was still being held last night under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act.

Four other premises in the Finglas area were raided as part of Monday's operation but nothing of a criminal nature was found at any of the addresses and no further arrests were made.

Gardaí are now investigating the possibility that the car keys found on Monday may have been stolen during a robbery at a Dublin garage recently.

Gardaí also believe some of the keys may have been stolen during recent house break-ins in the greater Dublin area. A number of high-powered vehicles, like those used in the recent ATM raids, were also stolen during the robberies. However, these may now be difficult to locate because they are often parked at busy hospital and shopping centre car-parks for weeks or months before gangs return for them when the vehicles are needed for robberies.

Monday's operation was part of Operation Delivery, a specialist investigation set up by gardaí to try and halt the raids. A team of 25 detectives is working on Operation Delivery from Harcourt Square in Dublin. The operation is being led by the NBCI backed by members of the Emergency Response Unit and local gardaí from a number of west and north Dublin suburbs. So far nine arrests have been made and a number of files have been sent to the DPP. The Criminal Assets Bureau has been requested to join Operation Delivery.