Shot fired during armed daylight raid on cash-in-transit van

ARMED raiders fired a shot during the robbery of a security van in Sutton, north Dublin yesterday.

The robbery happened shortly before 2pm, at the Bayside Shopping Centre.

A Group 4 Securicor cash-in-transit van was making a regular delivery to the Ulster Bank ATM machine at the shopping centre at the time.

One of the security staff exited the van carrying at least one cash box.

Gardaí said he was walking to the ATM machine when he was approached by two men.

A garda spokesman said one of the men produced “what appeared to be a sawn-off shotgun”.

It is understood a struggle broke out between the gunman and the worker. The garda spokesman said at this stage a single shot was fired into the air.

“Cash was stolen from the security staff and the two suspects made their getaway on a motorbike,” said the spokesman.

The security guard, while deeply shaken by the incident, was not physically harmed.

Gina Foley, who worked in the Spar shop, beside the ATM machine, said her boss alerted the gardaí: “The manager came in and pressed the panic button. I ran out, there was a struggle on the ground between the security guard and the robber. I went back in to help customers and I heard the gunshot and at that stage, about five-ten seconds later I saw the robber running across, running back over to the car park, hopping on an orange motorbike and going off, leaving the car park.”

It is thought the bike was a high-powered 600cc vehicle. A similar bike was reportedly seen twice in the area in the last week and again yesterday morning.

Detectives are examining any CCTV footage and will also examine any possible links with a raid nearby on the Howth Road in Clontarf, two weeks ago.

Cash-in-transit staff were set on by two men. One of them had a sawn-off shotgun and a single shot was also fired.

Anyone with information is asked to ring Raheny Garda Station on 01-6664300 or the Garda Confidential line 1800-666-111.