Four held over botched bank raid

GARDAÍ carried out dawn raids at three houses in Cork yesterday during which they arrested four people in connection with a botched bank raid last August.

A man and a woman in their late 20s were arrested at one address in the Midleton area while two men, aged in their 30s and 40s, were arrested at houses on the northside and southside of Cork city.

The operation was carried out by uniformed and plainclothes gardaí from the Cobh and Midleton areas, aided by units from the Cork City Garda Division.

The four arrested were being questioned at Midleton and Cobh garda stations yesterday under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act in relation to a botched raid at the Bank of Ireland branch at the Hazelwood Shopping Centre, Glanmire on August 5.

On that morning, two male raiders wearing balaclavas and boiler-suits entered the bank moments after a G4 Securicor van pulled up to make a cash delivery.

One of the G4 Securicor security men bravely grappled with the armed raiders who panicked and fled empty-handed in a getaway car.

A car was later found burnt out a few miles away at Windsor Hill, Glounthaune.

Gardaí believe the two men then transferred into a waiting car at that location.

It is believed the vehicle headed back towards Cork city.

Gardaí can question the woman and three men for up to 24 hours. However, a period of detention can be extended through a court application from a chief superintendent.