A three-man gang who lurked outside a bank until it closed and then tried to push and kick their way in were caught shortly afterwards in their stolen, two-door getaway car, a court was told yesterday.
Garda Sue Kinsella agreed with Aileen Donnelly SC, defending, at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court that they had not acted very cleverly."It wouldn't be my choice of a getaway car," Garda Kinsella told Ms Donnelly.
Barry Kelly (27), Kilmartin Road, Tallaght, and Raymond Birrell (32), Slievenamon Road, Drimnagh, pleaded guilty to attempted burglary of the Ulster Bank, Tallaght, on September 29th, 2003. Kelly also pleaded guilty to having an imitation handgun, and Birrell to unauthorised taking of a car and to reckless endangerment.
Judge Yvonne Murphy was told that gardaí considered a third man arrested after a chase, Dermot O'Callaghan (39), Maxwell Street, The Liberties, who had taken judicial review proceedings, the organiser of the crime. Kelly and Birrell were remanded in custody for sentence on June 28th.
Garda Kinsella said gardaí had been alerted by witnesses who saw two men trying to force the bank door. Kelly had been seen throwing his body repeatedly against the door.