Armed garda unit deployed as two arrested after high-speed car chase

TWO men who gardaí believe planned to rob a post office in Co Limerick yesterday were arrested after a high speed car chase.

The two, in their 20s and both from Southill in Limerick, were being held at Henry Street Garda station last night under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.

Gardaí were alerted when a car stopped outside Castleconnell post office at around 12.30pm.

As the two men approached the post office, a garda car arrived. The men ran back to their car and sped off.

A high-speed chase ensued. The men turned off the main N7 at Lisnagry and headed towards Cappamore.

An armed garda unit had by this stage joined the chase and the car was forced to stop.

A number of implements including a hammer were found in the car.

Marian Ryan, manager of the Castleconnell Post Office said: “I did not know about it until somebody told me there was something going on out on the street. Somebody said that some men were about to rob the post office and somebody else said they saw a car pulling out. I just know they were caught. I closed the front door for a short time after, but we were open for business.”

Meanwhile Limerick gardaí are investigating a shooting incident in Moyross on Monday night.

A man in his 30s, recently released after serving a long prison sentence for a serious assault, was shot in the leg. He was treated at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital and his injury was not life threatening.

It is believed he refused to make a complaint to gardaí.