Brothers jailed for Ardee bank raid

Two Dublin brothers have been jailed at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for their roles in the armed robbery of a Co Louth bank in November 1997.

John Martin, 30, of Kippure Park, Finglas, was sentenced to eight years for the robbery and also for the possession for sale or supply of £1,840 in March 1997.

His brother Paul, 32, of the same address, received a six-year sentence after pleading guilty to handling the stolen money at Fuinseog, Co Louth.

Judge Dominic Lynch said it was a most serious offence and a sentence close to the maximum had to be imposed.

Det Insp Liam Conlon told the court that two masked raiders, one carrying a gun, entered the Bank of Ireland in Ardee as it was closing for business on November 17, 1997.

They told staff to lie on the ground before fleeing with £132,000 to a waiting getaway car.

They were then chased by gardai, but managed to escape after immobilising the patrol car.

The men were discovered half a mile away the next morning and the money was found a short time afterwards.