Gardai rush to foil bank raid in Rosslare

THERE was high drama as uniformed gardai responded to an activated alarm at the Rosslare Harbour branch of Bank of Ireland shortly before 10 a.m. on Friday morning last.

The officers were unable to gain entry to the building and could see staff in a room at the rear of the premises.

Members of staff escaped from the bank with the assistance of the gardai. A suspect fled the scene on foot.

A man was later arrested and brought to Wexford Garda Station for questioning.

Gardai recovered a firearm, ammunition, cable ties and duct tape during the incident. No-one was hurt and no money was stolen, but a senior Garda spokesman said staff were upset and traumatised following the incident.

The bank was closed to customers on Friday as detectives sealed off the building for forensic examination although people were able to use an ATM machine in the wall.

Wexford councillor Ger Carthy, a local representative for the area commended the gardai on their speedy response after the alarm was raised.

‘It is reassuring for people in Rosslare Harbour that the incident was responded to so quickly and it also shows the importance of having gardai stationed in the local area,’ he said.

A spokesman for Bank of Ireland said the bank does not comment publicly on security matters but added that it is helping the gardai with the Rosslare Harbour branch investigation.

Meanwhile, a young Wexfordman appeared before a special sitting of Gorey District Court at the weekend charged in connection with the incident.

Twenty-two years old Daragh Quinn of Cross of Kisha, Rathmore, Broadway was charged with attempted robbery at the bank on August 19. He was represented in court by Ed King, solicitor.

Judge John Cheatle remanded the accused in custody to Clover Hill Prison to appear before Wexford District Court tomorrow ( Wednesday).

Evidence of arrest, charge and caution was given to the court by Garda John Hennessy.