Guns and keys to fast cars seized in ATM robberies probe

GARDAÍ investigating ATM delivery robberies have seized guns, ammunition and the keys to 30 high-powered vehicles.

As staff of one of the largest cash-in-transit security companies prepare to ballot on strike action over security concerns, gardaí are continuing to target gangs involved in the robberies.

A number of raids were carried out on premises in Finglas, Dublin, the home patch of one of the gangs involved in some of the 38 armed robberies this year.

A man in his 50s was arrested, the ninth person to face questioning as part of Operation Delivery, set up two months ago to target cash-in-transit raiders.

Three premises on Cappagh Road, two homes and a disused shop, were raided at about 4pm on Monday.

A rifle and ammunition were seized in one of the homes while a pistol, sawn-off shotgun and more ammunition was found in the shop.

Car keys were also found. It is thought they were being kept ready for use in more robberies. The keys are for cars that have already been stolen and are being kept around the city.

A team of 25 detectives from the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation has been assigned to Operation Delivery. They are being backed up by members of the armed Emergency Response Unit, who are also carrying out regular patrols of areas where the gangs are operating from.

The Criminal Assets Bureau is tracking the proceeds of the robberies, estimated at between €2 million and €4 million this year.

The arrested man is being questioned by gardaí in Blanchardstown and can be held for up to 72 hours.

This year there has been a huge increase in armed robberies, many following attacks on security vans.

There have been 38 in just seven months, compared with 34 for the whole of last year.

Security firm Brinks Allied is in dispute with its staff over new security arrangements which, SIPTU claims, put its members in more danger.

Workers are to ballot on industrial action today following the breakdown on Monday evening of Labour Relations Commission-brokered talks. The dispute left 60% of non-branch ATMs in the eastern region empty over the weekend.

SIPTU called a meeting of shop stewards of cash-in-transit companies yesterday to discuss the implications of the impasse. The union has warned the dispute could begin to affect ATMs across the country.

Yesterday, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions called for the intervention of the National Implementation Body (NIB) in the Brinks lockout.

The request was made after the company refused for the second time to make a joint referral of the dispute to the Labour Court.

SIPTU security service branch secretary Kevin McMahon said afterwards that the NIB had been asked to intervene because Brinks was “in flagrant breach of the Stability and Peace clauses of Sustaining Progress. The unilateral action by management at the company could have serious implications across the economy if it is not made to comply with the national agreement.”