Raiders fire shot in Irish team hotel
The three masked raiders fired a shot at the reception ceiling before getting away with the 1,000 contents of the safe at the Portmarnock Golf and Country Club.
Women and children including some of the Irish players' relations were in the hotel lobby when the shot was fired.
The raiders told everyone in the packed reception area to look away and get on the ground before firing a shot at the ceiling.
One of the raiders brandished a weapon while the other two went for the hotel safe.
No one was injured in the raid which took place just after 6.30pm. The majority of the squad was in a restaurant below the hotel lobby when the three raiders arrived.
However, manager Brian Kerr and players Steven and Andy Reid were giving a press conference at the time.
FAI security personnel helped to restore calm after the robbery.
Brian Kerr held a meeting with the players last night and a decision was made not to move the team. FAI sources said the squad was in no danger and the association had a security policy in place.
"It is very unfortunate but it appears to be unrelated to the fact that the squad is staying here," an FAI statement said.
"We are grateful that no one was hurt and that our security staff acted in a professional manner," the FAI added.
The team was reported to be calm last night and the FAI spokesperson insisted the event won't disrupt the preparations for Tuesday's game.
The incident, which lasted only a few minutes, is sure to worry Premiership clubs whose stars are members of the Irish squad.
The combined value of players such as Damien Duff, Robbie Keane and Shay Given alone is in excess of €35m.
This shooting drama came during rising stars Andy Reid and Liam Miller's first taste of the senior squad.
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