Bystanders wounded as bank raiders flee

THREE teenage boys received lead wounds to the face and body during an armed bank raid in Co Limerick last Friday.

Gardaí yesterday confirmed the boys’ injuries as the search for the three raiders of the AIB branch in Kilmallock intensified.

Supt Michael O’Keeffe, Bruff, who is leading the investigation, said the boys were using a cash machine outside the bank during the robbery.

“Uniformed gardaí moved in to arrest the raiders, but shots rang out as they left the bank and injured the boys, who had to receive hospital treatment. They were severely traumatised by their frightening experience,” said Supt O’Keeffe.

A shot was fired at two uniformed gardaí as they confronted the gang.

The raiders fled in a gold- or beige-coloured land cruiser. In a high-speed chase, they crashed the car through a gate and across a field, before ending up in a ditch on the Kilfinane side of Kilmallock.

“The raiders then took off on foot across the fields, leaving behind some of the money, a sawn-off shotgun, a handgun and a hammer.

"We believe they were met by another car, which brought them further away from the town,” said a garda source. The robbery took place around 4.10pm. The bank was closed but staff were working inside when a beer keg was thrown through a window.

"Three men, one armed with a shotgun and another with a large knife, entered the premises. They held staff at gunpoint and left with an undisclosed amount of cash, believed to be under €10,000.

The raiders demanded the safe be opened, but it was time-locked. Instead, they gathered money from tills.

As the hunt continued yesterday, Supt O’Keeffe said: “We are appealing for any information in relation to a stolen red Opel Corsa car, registration 98 LK 3549, which we believe was used by the raiders in their getaway, or any witnesses to the raid.

“Information should be conveyed to the Gardaí at Bruff, Co Limerick, 061-38103,” he added.