Garda hunt for armed raiders after pub robbery

GARDAÍ in the midlands are searching for four armed and masked raiders who escaped with an undisclosed quantity of cash from a pub on the main Galway-Dublin road yesterday morning.

The raid took place at Paddy Ryan's pub at Horseleap half the pub is in Offaly and the other half is in Westmeath.

The pub is run by Breda and Mick Marshall, who were cleaning up at about 2am yesterday after a busy Sunday night.

Breda Marshall went out to clean up the smoking area to the rear of the bar when she was approached by four "masked men, all armed with a variety of firearms", according to a garda spokesperson.

The Marshalls were ordered to bring them to the room where cash was stored and the raiders grabbed a quantity of cash. Gardaí would not reveal the amount taken.

"The men went out the rear of the premises and into what we believe was a dark-coloured saloon car," said the spokesperson.

"They then went out onto the N6 road, but we are not sure of the direction they took."

The village of Horseleap is about 65 miles from Dublin.

The Longford-Westmeath Divisional Scene of Crime Unit carried out an extensive forensic examination.

Contrary to earlier reports, nobody was held hostage during the incident, and the Marshalls were able to raise the alarm quickly after the event.

They suffered no injuries, but declined to talk to the media yesterday.

"We are looking for anyone who may have seen anything unusual in the area on Sunday night and in the early hours of Monday," said the garda spokesperson.

"If anyone saw four men travelling in a dark-coloured saloon car in the Horseleap area, we would like to hear from them.

"Somebody may have noticed something earlier in the day, too. Information can be passed onto the gardaí in Athlone."

The public house is a well-known watering hole, and its distinction of being part of the boundary separating Westmeath and Offaly has ensured itsnotoriety throughout the midlands.

In February, an undisclosed amount of cash, some jewellery, and a BMW people-carrier were taken when members of one of the best-known midlands business families were held captive in their own home just outside Athlone.

This incident took place just 15 miles from Horseleap.

Damien and Rachel Kilmartin, who operate the landmark Kilmartin's N6 Centre in Athlone, were traumatised following the incident, which lasted for almost 90 minutes.

Their three children, plus a fourth child who was visiting their house at the time, were held captive by four burglars brandishing a sledge hammer, a baseball bat and two iron bars.