16/09/2009

Gardaí Foil Robbery Bid

A man has been arrested after a high-speed chase in the midlands.

The drama followed an armed raid on a security van at a post office this morning.

Gardaí say the man left Irishtown post office outside Athlone at high speed in a van.

He was followed for 80km on the Galway to the Dublin Road until he stopped near the toll booths on the M4 at Enfield.

It is not known how much money was taken in the robbery. No-one was injured.

Meanwhile, in the North, a local politician has condemned a similar incident there today.

SDLP Councillor Josephine O'Hare said anyone who might have seen anything related to the armed robbery in Mayobride sub post office should go immediately to the police.

"A masked man carrying a firearm, confronted the postmistress this morning and robbed the sub-post office while an accomplice kept a car waiting.

"No actual violence was used but obviously the woman is suffering from shock.

"Ours is a quiet little village and it is possible someone may have seen these men acting suspiciously or seen where their car came from or headed.

"The police need every detail to do what has to be done, which is to catch those responsible and put them away before they rob again.

"We have come a long way towards a peaceful, lawful society and a tough line needs to be taken with those who rob with guns," said Cllr O'Hare, who is chair of the Newry and Mourne District Policing Partnership and lives in Mayobridge

(BMcC/GK)

Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

05 August 2016
Woman Arrested Over Kerry Post Office Raid
A woman has been arrested in connection with an armed raid at a post office in Co Kerry. The suspect was arrested at around 5.30pm in Killarney on Thursday, 04 August. A sum of cash was stolen from Waterville Post Office at around 11am on Wednesday, 03 August. Two men were arrested in the area after the incident.
19 April 2013
Man Arrested And Released In Garda Station Money Theft Investigation
A man arrested on Thursday morning in connection with €9,000 missing from Balbriggan Garda Station has been released without charge. The money was part of €26,000 recovered by gardaí after it was stolen during an armed robbery at Lusk post office in January.
06 March 2014
Three Released Following Post Office Robbery
Three men arrested in connection of a post office robbery in Roscommon have been released without charge. Two masked men, one believed to be armed, entered the premises at around 9.30am on Tuesday in Strokestown. They threatened staff and made off with an undisclosed sum of cash. A file will be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
06 September 2012
Gardaí Appeal For Information After Armed Post Office Robbery
Gardaí have launched an investigation following an armed robbery at Dún Laoghaire post office in Dublin this morning. Two men entered the post office, armed with what is believed to have been handguns, around 10.25am. They threatened staff before making off with an undisclosed amount of money.
03 August 2016
Four Charged In Connection With Post Office Robbery
Four people have appeared in court charged in connection with a post office robbery in Clogherhead, Co Louth. Three men, one armed with a firearm, entered a post office and threatened staff on 03 May. The suspects fled the scene with a large amount of cash.