€4m taken in raids in first six months, says SIPTU

€4m was stolen in armed raids across Ireland in the first six months of the year, union chiefs claimed today.

Criminals netted €4m in total in the raids – compared to £4m (€6m) taken in armed raids in the UK during the whole of 2003, SIPTU said.

The union’s Security Services Branch Secretary, Kevin McMahon, said the Irish cash-in-transit industry was facing a major crisis with gangs targeting poorly protected security teams.

“Armed gangs, particularly in Dublin, now regard cash-in-transit operations as a soft target,” Mr McMahon said.

“We urgently need action at national level, before someone is seriously injured or killed.”

Hundreds of cash machines across the east coast have been empty for days after workers at Brinks Allied refused to use new imported security vans.

Staff also rejected plans for a ‘drive away’ policy in the event of an armed raid. Brinks asked workers to flee the scene if attacked, and abandon colleagues if necessary.

Mr McMahon claimed this lack of protection for staff was unacceptable and threatened strike action.

“If the employers, the banks and the agencies of the State are not prepared to provide that protection, our members will not continue working indefinitely under the present high levels of threat.”

Talks between unions and management are continuing today at the Labour Relations Commission to resolve the dispute.

SIPTU vowed to use the talks to find out the best way forward for staff, customers and management.

“These vehicles and procedures may be suited to the continent but they may not work here because of different conditions,” said Mr McMahon.

“There are other aspects of security work on the continent, such as armed guards, which we don’t think the public would like to see here.”