Children caught up in armed raid
The raiders, one of whom carried a sawn-off shotgun and another a slash hook, threatened and terrified patrons at the stadium before making their getaway with about €10,000.
“They came bursting through the main doorway at about 10.30pm, just after the last race of the evening had finished,” said Mr Joe Kerins, who was at the stadium at the time.
“There were about 150 people still there at the time, many of them women and children who had been taking part in the benefit night for Gaelscoil Kildarra.
“They ran through the crowd shouting and ordering people onto the floor. Women and children were screaming and crying. It was a very traumatic experience for everyone,” he said.
The raiders went straight to the betting kiosk, which was still open to facilitate those with an interest in the last race at Shelbourne.
“One grabbed whatever taking he could from that kiosk while another went into the main office. All the time they were shouting at people and warning them to remain on the floor,” said Mr Kerins.
The four were wearing gloves and balaclavas and one of them spoke with a distinct Dublin accent. They made their getaway in a stolen BMW car, which was found abandoned at 1am at Roseberry, Newbridge.
“The whole thing only lasted about four minutes but it left many people traumatised,” said Mr Kerins.
No shots were fired, nor was anyone injured. The Garda air support unit assisted local gardaí in the search for the men, but no arrests have been made.
An attempted robbery failed at the track last year when raiders arrived after betting kiosks had been locked up for the night.
