Bank raid arrests - Victory for the gardaí

IF those held in connection with Friday’s €7 million tiger kidnapping raid on the Bank of Ireland are the gang responsible then the gardaí deserve all our thanks and congratulations.

Though many questions remain, and some of these will no doubt be addressed when senior gardaí and bank management meet today to consider changes to current protocols, the recovery of €3.5m is indeed a victory for the gardaí.

What a contrast their performance is to that of the bank who left a staff member so exposed and vulnerable. This point was confirmed by Justice Minister Dermot Ahern who said procedures are in place “to fundamentally ensure the safety of bank employees”.

These arrests, and a murder charge in Limerick, signal a good weekend for the gardaí and all of us.