Cash transit firms warned following raids

The cash transit industry has been given four months to put its house in order or else the Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell, will enforce a statutory code of standards, it emerged today.

An hour-long crisis meeting was held today between minister Mr McDowell, the Garda commissioner, and representatives of the private security industry, banks and the Private Security Authority watchdog.

Mr McDowell said afterwards that two major robberies from cash transit vans in two weeks was unacceptable and must not happen again.

He said: “Over the next 100 days a fully effective code will be worked out to ensure adequate standards across the cash security … or I will have to consider it on a statutory basis.”

Mr McDowell said today’s meeting was constructive and that the Private Security Authority would meet on Monday to discuss a code of practice.

He said several security measures could be introduced to ensure the safety of large amounts of cash in transit.

He suggested security boxes which discolour cash when disturbed, GPS systems, alarm mechanisms and CCTV cameras in vehicles and around financial institutions.

He added: “There is huge scope for improvement.”

Garda commissioner Noel Conroy said the investigation into yesterday’s €2.7m heist in north Dublin was progressing well. He confirmed that the white getaway van used in the robbery had been located last night near Dundalk and was being technically examined by detectives.

He said it was too early to say if yesterday’s heist was linked with a similar one on March 14, but revealed that more than 100 officers were working on both cases.