An attempted robbery took place this morning, the 10/1/09, a 60 year old woman pulled into the Tesco filling station on the Model Farm Road in Ballincollig and withdrew a sum of money from an ATM machine.
Four of the five people detained in relation to this incident have been released without charge.
A man remains in custody in relation to a separate matter.
In relation to this matter a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions in relation to all five.
The correct age of the injured party is 72 years and not 60 years as previously stated.
Original release below refers.
Garda Press Office
1835hrs, 10 January 2009.
At approximately 10.15am this morning a 60 year old woman pulled into the Tesco filling station on the Model Farm Road in Ballincollig and withdrew a sum of money from an ATM machine there.
When she returned to her car she drove in the direction of Ballincollig and noticed that she was being followed by a car with 5 occupants.
Taking precautionary measures she pulled into a residential area at Chelmsfort before stopping. When she did so the car that was following her also stopped and 2 men got out.
They falsely accused her of crashing into them and grabbed her handbag before getting back into their car. She leaned in and caught a hold of her handbag before it pulled off, dragging her a short distance along the ground.
The strap on her bag broke and the culprits drove away empty handed.
The woman received minor injuries which were treated by a local GP.
Gardaí were alerted to the incident and a marked patrol car from Gurranabraher and an unmarked car from Togher responded immediately.
They located the car and it's 5 occupants in Mardyke Walk, Sundays Well.
All 5 were arrested and are being detained under section 4 of The Criminal Justice Act at Togher and Gurranabraher Garda Stations.
They are 3 women and 2 men all aged in their mid 20's.
Garda Press Office
1530hrs, 10 January 2009.
