Dawn raid nets jewel thief close to €500,000

GARDAÍ are searching for a jewel thief who would make the legendary Raffles proud, robbing a haul which is rumoured to be worth several hundred thousand euro.

The thief is believed to have spent more than two hours in a jeweller’s store in north Cork, selecting the most expensive and portable items he could find.

He struck just before 4am yesterday at Fitzpatrick’s Jewellers at Main Street, Charleville, forcing open a door at the side entrance of the shop, at Smith Street, to gain access.