Bank Robbery at Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow

The Gardaí at Rathdrum are investigating a bank robbery that occurred at a bank in the town.

On Thursday 22nd January 2010 at 11.15am, three men arrived in the town in a Navy Metallic blue Mitsubishi Pajero. It’s registration number was 95 WW 1116. The vehicle was stolen from an Opel garage in, Mullingar on the 19/1/2010.

Just before the robbery at 11.10am the Pajero parked outside the bank. After 4 to 5 minutes three men ran from the jeep and entered the bank while the driver remained.

The first raider with the rifle remained at the door and threatened staff and customers. While raider two with the sledge hammer began hitting the glass partition until eventually it broke. The third raider with the crow bar then vaulted the counter and began to fill the recycle bag with cash from behind the counter.

The raiders then ran from the bank to the awaiting Pajero. They then drove away from the bank turning left onto Brewery place. The Pajero was seen by a witness overtaking a vehicle further along this road at an area named Fair green. It would have then come to a Y in the road where it could either have gone left down Greenan road or right down Ballinderry road.

The Pajero was discovered abandoned a short distance away at Wheelers lane. The forensic suits had been set on fire by the gang and the pajero was left with its engine running and the drivers and rear boot door open.

Description of Raiders:

The first raider was armed with a rifle. He was 5’ 8’’ to 5’ 10’’and had as light build. He was unshaven and wore a white dusk mask and plain white forensic suit.

The second raider was taller and carried a sledge hammer. He wore a black scarf and black peak cap under the white forensic suit. He wore gardening gloves and white runners.

The third man was also tall and carried a crow bar and a green recycling bag. He wore the same overalls, a white dust mask, Black runners and gloves.

Gardaí at Rathdrum Investigating        Telephone: 0404 46206