Hunt for raiders after €250k of goods are stolen

GARDAÍ are searching for a gang that netted more than €250,000 worth of computers, sportswear and perfumes during a raid early yesterday.

At least three raiders burst into a courier company at Glanmire, Co Cork, at about 3.30am and tied up four members of staff. They proceeded to load valuable goods into two vehicles, an operation that took about 40 minutes.

One of the staff at Securispeed at Brooklodge East managed to raise the alarm after he freed himself.

By the time gardaí arrived the raiders had fled.

Detective Inspector Martin Dorney said the gang took their haul away in an Izuzu Trooper and a white Scania truck. The trooper was found abandoned last night at Wilton Court shopping centre to the west of the city and is being forensically investigated.

These belonged to Securispeed Intercity, which operates a fleet of similar vehicles.

The Scania’s number is 98 D 73143.

Det Insp Dorney said none of the staff were hurt, but were shocked.

“We are very anxious to speak to anybody who might know the whereabouts of these two vehicles, or who might have seen them in the area early yesterday morning,” he said.

“The critical time we’re interested in, when we believe they left the premises, was about 4.40am onwards. The company is situated just outside of Glanmire. It is on the Knockraha Road and adjacent to the Riverstown soccer club pitches.”

The scene was sealed off for a technical examination.

The company’s head office in Dublin said it would not be commenting on the raid or if it would be taking any action as result.

Gardaí have asked people to report any incidences where goods are being offered at cheap prices in an unorthodox manner.

Securispeed was set up in Dublin in 1987 before expanding its business nationally, opening depots in Cork and Limerick. It has set up bases in Antrim and Wexford.

In recent years it opened a large shipping warehouse on the M50 corridor in Dublin and has become the largest courier company operating in the capital.