Gardai believe I.R.A. were behind robbery

September 1977

There is still no trace of the three armed raiders who got away with over £32,000 after a security van robbery in Wexford nine days ago.

Despite intensive Garda actitivity, which included house-to-house enquiries along the getaway route, the three seem to have vanished into thin air, after abandoning the getaway car at the Westgate yard.

However, Gardaí now firmly believe the raid was carried out by a subversive group, most likely the I.R.A., and that there was a ‘considerable’ local help given in the execution of the crime and the getaway.

The two cars involved, a blue Ford Cortina and a white Ford Escort, had been stolen some time before in Newry, Co. Down – lending credence to the political theory.

Both cars and the rammed security van of South East Security Ltd. have undergone intense scrutiny by Garda Technical experts, but it is believed this scrutiny has failed to yield any concrete clues as to the exact identities of the culprits.

And although the raiders drove at speed through some of the town’s most densely populated areas, residents who may have caught a glimpse of them have so far failed to come forward and help.

The recklessness of the robbers as they drove through the streets was lashed by parish administrator, Fr Noel Hartley, who hold his congregation at 11.30 a.m. Mass in Rowe Street Church that were it not for the mercy of God, innocent people on their daily business, and children playing in the streets, could have been killed.

A local Republican source that this week that Gardaí has been calling on the homes of members since shortly after the raid. Some men had been detained for questioning, but had later been released.

People from Northern Ireland who were on holiday in Wexford with members of the Republican movement had also been questioned, he added.

A report that three nuns who stopped at the scene of the crime, thinking it was an accident, were threatened by the raiders, could not be confirmed.