Shoppers flee as shots fired in robbery on cash delivery van

SHOPPERS and employees ran for safety yesterday as masked armed raiders opened fire as they robbed a cash delivery van in Dublin.

The thieves struck at noon at Lucan’s Hillcrest Shopping Centre, just as shopowners were preparing for a busy weekend before the bank holiday.

They targeted the van as it was filling up ATMs with cash for the busy shopping period before St Patrick’s Day.

Gardaí said security staff were delivering cash at noon to the shopping centre ATM when they were confronted by up to four masked men.

One of the raiders was armed with a handgun.

“At least two shots were fired during the course of the robbery and the raiders escaped with a substantial amount of cash,” said the Garda Press Office.

Local shop owners described how they were shocked when the robbers struck.

The raiders fired into the van resulting in security staff giving over cash quickly.

Gardaí said a substantial amount of cash, believed to be at least hundreds of thousands of euro, was taken.

They were examining the ATM kiosk yesterday for forensic evidence.

The manager of Dominos Pizza at the shopping centre described how his staff saw the attack unfold.

“You don’t expect this in a calm and usually quiet shopping centre.

“Everybody was shocked and saw them take the money after firing into the air. Then they drove away really fast,” explained manager Gary Shergill.

A manager at the local Tesco said work had returned to normal after the raid took place outside its doors.

The raiders escaped in a silver BMW driving the car in the direction of the N4.

Local Dublin mid-west Fianna Fáil TD John Curran condemned the robbery. He said innocent bystanders were put at risk.

“It is shocking to hear of yet another shooting in Dublin mid-west within the space of days and I am calling on everyone who may have witnessed the crime to report immediately to the Gardaí to help with their investigation.”

“This is the third reported shooting in Dublin mid-west in the space of two weeks and I am very concerned for the safety of innocent local people. Luckily today there were no injuries and I am appealing to witnesses to contact Lucan Garda Station,” said Deputy Curran.

Gardaí at Lucan are asking for any person with relevant information to contact Lucan Garda station on 01-666 3700.