Armed raider hits building society in Wicklow

A robber threatened workers at a building society in Co Wicklow with a sawn-off shotgun today before making off with his loot.

Gardaí in Bray are probing the armed robbery which occurred in broad daylight at a building society on Main Street in the town.

Detectives said the raider entered the building at around 11.20am and threatened staff with a sawn-off shotgun, while his accomplice waited outside on a motorbike.

The raiders escaped on the motorbike with a small amount of cash and were last seen on the King Edward Road travelling left onto Church Road in Bray.

Detectives confirmed that no shots were fired during the robbery and none of the workers were physically injured.

The gunman, who entered the premises, was described as wearing a black motorcycle helmet with a black balaclava underneath, blue jeans and white runners with black strips on the laces.

Witnesses said he carried a courier type bag over his shoulder.

This is the latest incident in a spate of armed robberies which has seen post offices and banks targeted.

Earlier this week an armed gang held a family hostage and threatened them for several hours before robbing the post office attached to their home in Co Longford.

This followed on the back of the attempted raid of a post office on Dublin’s Botanic Avenue on May 6 last.