Gardaí probe if three knifepoint burglaries in Cork are linked

Ballinlough credit union, as well as a pub and a shop on the southside of the city, were burgled at knifepoint in recent days

On Friday, a man burgled a credit union in Ballinlough at knifepoint and escaped with cash. File picture: Larry Cummins

A manhunt is underway in Cork after three businesses — a credit union, a pub and a shop — were burgled at knifepoint in recent days.

Gardaí are now investigating whether these three attempted armed robberies may be linked.

A man waving a knife demanded money at a Spar on Douglas Street on Tuesday at around 8am. Some two hours later, a man armed with a knife attempted to steal from a pub on Evergreen Road.

But no money or goods were stolen from either premises.

On Friday, a man burgled a credit union in Ballinlough at knifepoint and escaped with cash.

The suspect was “well concealed” a garda source said, making identifying him on CCTV at the premises difficult. Two women were working in the credit union at the time of the armed robbery, it is understood.

No injuries were sustained in any of the three armed burglaries, garda sources said.

Gardaí are investigating all three attempted robberies and said it is possible that they are linked.

In relation to the Ballinlough Credit Union burglary, a spokesperson for An Garda Síochána said: “Gardaí received report of an incident of robbery that occurred at approximately 9:45am on Friday, 5th of January 2024 at a premises on the Ballinlough Road in Co Cork.

“No injuries were reported. No arrests have been made. Investigations are ongoing.”