Concern over spread of ‘tiger kidnappings’
Now the gardaí and the industry are bracing themselves for further copycat robberies.
“There were around 48 tiger kidnappings in Northern Ireland last year and it looks like we’re importing that type of criminal activity down here now,” said one source.
‘Tiger kidnappings’ is a term used to describe robberies where a key employee is forced to perform the orders of kidnappers while his family is held hostage by the gang.
The tactic was used most dramatically in the Northern Bank robbery last December, which netted raiders, believed to be the Provisional IRA, stg£26.5 million.
Gardaí fear organised gangs here that specialise in armed robberies may have copied the method which has proven successful for paramilitaries.
Either that or a paramilitary unit, such as the Provisional IRA or Real IRA, has decided to use the tactic south of the Border.
A number of criminal gangs in the Republic are already used to observing the times, routes and weaknesses of security vans making ATM deliveries.
They are well-armed and have shown an increasing willingness to use weapons on security staff.
Last January, a security guard was shot at close range by raiders in Clane, Co Kildare.
Security staff representatives warned afterwards it was only a matter of time before someone was seriously injured or killed.
Last week, armed robbers fired a shot into the ground in front of a security guard as they robbed over €100,000 from a van in Arklow, Co Wicklow.
Industry sources last night said the record level of cash-in-transit robberies last year was being repeated this year.
“Last year, there was an unprecedented level of attacks on the industry. It’s the same again this year, if not worse. There have been 14 attempted robberies, all at gunpoint. It’s an absolute zoo out there,” one source said.
There were 62 cash-in-transit robberies last year, compared to 54 in 2002, an increase of 15%.
Sources said that for security staff it was not a matter of if they get attacked, but when.
Staff representatives are increasingly concerned about the safety of their members.
“There has been a very worrying series of attacks since the beginning of this year, more or less replicating what took place last year,” said Kevin McMahon, branch secretary of Security Services at SIPTU.
He said they were looking for an urgent meeting with Justice Minister Michael McDowell.
“What we’re requesting from the Government is to provide the cash-in-transit industry with increased garda protection, certainly from the armed response unit.
“The scale of this problem is of such an enormity you can’t place responsibility or the solution with the cash-in-transit industry or its employees.
“It’s a response that needs to come from the State, dealing with a serious growth in criminality in this society.”
He said they would also like to see technological solutions whereby staff do not have access to cash. But sources question to what extent determined and highly organised criminals, willing to engage in tiger kidnappings, can be combated.
