This morning Friday 19th April, 2019 at approximately 4.20am Gardaí at Kells responded to a report of theft of two ATM's in the town centre, arriving within minutes.
On arrival two ATM's had been ripped from two bank premises in the town centre. A JCB Fastrac tractor and trailer and a excavator remained at scene. Both the JCB tractor and the excavator were stolen in the Louth and Meath areas overnight. A significant amount of damage was caused to both premises and both premises remain closed. The scene is preserved pending technical examination from Divisional scenes of crime unit.
Superintendent O'Connor has made the following appeals:
- Any person in Kells this morning between 3.30am and 4.20am and who saw anything unusual to make contact,
- Any person who saw heavy machinery being moved or transported between Ardee and Kells, the N52 or adjoining roads in the early hours of this morning to contact Gardaí, and any person who may have been driving in that area and who has dashcam footage.
Gardai believe those responsible left the scene in a dark coloured crew CAB jeep and a dark coloured volkswagen car along the Maudlin Road towards Carlanstown, the N52. Gardaí are appealing for any person who saw these vehicles or knows the whereabouts of these vehicles to contact them at Kells Garda Station 046 9280820, the Gardaí Confidential line 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
Speaking at the scene today Superintendent Dermot O'Conner said "this crime was an organised planned attack on the community of Kells. This crime is not a victimless crime and will have a significant impact on the community of Kells and the local area over this Easter Bank Holiday weekend. I appeal to the local and wider community to support An Garda Síochána and to provide any information to bring these criminals to justice".
