New cameras fail to spot bank robbers

August 1995

A NEWLY installed street video camera surveillance system failed to record an armed robbery at the AIB Bank in Castle Street, Tralee at the weekend.

However, tapes taken by video cameras inside the bank are being examined by Gardai who have called on the public to come forward with information, relating to the robbery.

The new street video camera surveillance system, installed by Tralee Chamber of Commerce, was not in use on the day of the robbery as structural work was being carried out on the communications room at Tralee Garda Station on Friday and Saturday.

Supt Fred Garvey told The Kerryman that the Gardal are sure members of the public can provide them with vital information on the robbery in which a sum, believed to be close to £2,500, was taken from the Bureau de Change department of the bank which was open on Saturday.

Two armed men entered the bureau de change at about 3pm, on Saturday. There were no customers in the building at the time and one staff member was on duty at the counter.

The raiders donned masks as they entered and one shot was discharged as they were making their getaway. Gardai

believe the shot was discharged accidentally from a pistol carried by one of the raiders as he was pushing open the door of the bureau de change. The other raider was armed with a sawn-off shotgun.

“A lot off people saw the two raiders going in and out of the bank at a time when they did not have masks on. We would like members of the public to come forward to help us identify the raiders,” said Supt Garvey.

This was the second armed raid in Tralee this year and the description of one of the raiders is broadly similar to that of one of those involved in a raid on the Irish Permanent office in Castle Street just across the road from the AIB Branch.

Supt Garvey said that a black Vauxhall Caveller, registration number 86 C 2303, was stolen on the same day as the robbery in Tralee.

This car was taken from outside the former CYMS Hall in Denny Street between 12.30pm and 1.4,5pm on Saturday.

It was later abandoned in the car park across the road from the Brandon Hotel shortly after 3pm.

We would like to hear from anybody who saw the black Vauxhall from the time It was stolen to the time it was abandoned,” said Supt Garvey.