Getaway route used by Glanmire robbers identified

AS the hunt for two armed raiders who botched a bank robbery in Cork last Friday intensifies, gardaí believe they now know the getaway route taken by the men after they fled empty-handed.

It is believed the raiders — understood to have been in their 20s and with Irish accents — drove their stolen greyish-blue Ford Mondeo across a series of country roads before burning the vehicle out near the village of Glounthaune.

After speeding away from the Bank of Ireland at the Hazelwood Shopping Centre in Glanmire, the duo drove towards Brooklodge village. They then headed out under the Glanmire bypass near O’Connell Transport and onto the road to Knockraha.

They continued on that road for just under three miles before coming to Glenmore Stores. Instead of turning left towards the shop they took a right which lead them up a narrow road to Windsor Hill, Glounthaune where they set fire to the car.

The men attempted to rob the bank at 10.15am, but didn’t bargain on a brave security guard who took one of them on.

One of the raiders, who was armed with a sawn-off shotgun, stood guard outside the bank entrance while his accomplice, who was brandishing a sledgehammer, went inside and demanded cash which the security company had just dropped off. The security guard tussled with the raider and managed to get the sledgehammer off him.

At that point the raider, who was wearing a balaclava and boiler suit, ran from the premises and he and the gunman jumped into the getaway car.

Gardaí were quickly on the scene, but the raiders had fled by the time they arrived. A major manhunt is still continuing and gardaí have renewed their appeal for information.

“We are especially interested in hearing from anybody who saw the car prior to the raid, or who may have seen it travelling on the roads between Glanmire and Glounthaune.”

Gardaí are continuing to study CCTV footage.

Although the raiders set fire to the car, it was only partially burnt out and Garda forensic experts have been combing the vehicle for any clues which might shed light on their identities.

Anybody with information is asked to contact Cobh garda station at [phone].