Limerick bank raided for second time in fortnight

Staff at a university campus bank in Limerick were threatened at gunpoint by armed raiders earlier today - the second time in less than three weeks.

Two masked raiders entered the AIB branch at the University of Limerick in Castletroy at 11am this morning, armed with a handgun and demanded cash.

The armed intruders made off with just over €1,000 in cash after threatening staff. Less than three weeks ago, on October 18 last two masked men also raided the same branch, which is located in the heart of the busy UL campus.

On that occasion they stole €9,000. There is widespread speculation that a locally based gang, possibly of Eastern European origin, is responsible for both raids and that the same gang was also involved in two other bank robberies in the Castletroy area in recent weeks.

Gardaí would not comment on the speculation but did confirm that they are investigating the possibility of a link between all four robberies.

Senior sources have also confirmed that there were similarities in the modus operandi used in all four raids. Early in October a lone raider entered the Castletroy branch of the Ulster Bank in Castletroy and stole €1,500 at gunpoint before fleeing on foot.

Four weeks prior to that another raider stole a similar amount from the same branch and on that occasion made off on a bicycle.

Again in today's raid at the AIB in UL both raiders made off on foot and later on bicycle. No-one in the bank was injured but staff and customers were said to be in a state of shock following the incident.

Gardaí confirmed a number of men, some of whom are Latvian nationals, were questioned this afternoon and were helping detectives with their inquiries.