Gardaí believe gang to blame for robberies

GARDAÍ are searching for a gang who carried out a ram-raid on a toy factory and robbed a construction firm, hardware shop, tool hire business and carpet store.

Gardaí believe all five robberies, which happened in the early hours of yesterday, were the work of the same gang.

CCTV footage recovered by detectives appears to show the same car, a black Ford Focus, being used in the robberies which happened in Ballymakeera, Kilnamartyra, Macroom, Kanturk and Newmarket.

Shortly after midnight the gang of three, who were wearing balaclavas, broke into a construction company at Ballymakeera and stole a safe. They left it on the roadside a few kilometres away after taking the contents, approximately €200.

About half an hour later the gang broke into the Prince August toy factory at Kilnamartyra.

Superintendent Vincent Duggan said they used a trolley to transport a large safe to the front of the building and then rammed the car through security shuttering so they could get it out.

Unfortunately for the raiders the safe fell out of the back of the car as they sped off. It was understood to have contained a large amount of cash.

They then drove to Kanturk where they broke into a tool hire company making off with tools and some cash. Next they broke into a carpet shop before driving off towards Newmarket.

Kanturk-based Inspector Tony Sugrue said that the raiders targeted a hardware store in Newmarket and stole about €3,000 worth of locks and some cash.

Gardaí are especially anxious to hear from anybody who has seen a black Ford Focus, which may have damage to its rear.

Anybody with information is asked to contact Macroom Garda Station at 026-41724 or Kanturk Garda Station at 029-50002.