GARDAI HUNTING ARMED RAIDERS
THERE was a strong garda presence in Bridgetown yesterday (Monday) morning following an armed raid on the local post office. The incident saw two males wearing high-vis jackets and motorbike helmets, enter the post office at around 10.30 a.m.
One of the men was armed with an iron bar, while the other waved a knife in the face of the post mistress demanding that she hand over the cash.
While shaken, the post mistress was left unharmed during the course of the ordeal, and the raiders made off with wads of cash. It is believed that they fled the scene in a 07 black saloon car and sped off in the direction of Kilmore. However, it’s reported that they failed to make a clean getaway, dropping some cash along the way.
Gardaí were quick to arrive at the scene and a manhunt is now under way to track down those responsible.
‘We would urge anyone who may have noticed anything suspicious, either before the incident or afterwards, to come forward to us at Wexford Garda Station, or their local station,’ said Inspector Denis Whelan, who stated that a full-scale garda investigation was ongoing.
Meanwhile, there was shock in the Bridgetown area following the morning’s events, as everyone expressed their concern for post mistress Peggy Bates and her staff. Local councillor Mick Roche described it as a terrible ordeal.
‘This is a terrible ordeal for anyone to have to go through,’ he said. ‘I can’t praise Peggy and the staff of Bridgetown Post Office highly enough for the fine service they provide to people in the local parishes. As a community, we are absolutely devastated that they have had to suffer this nightmare event.’
Cllr Roche reiterated the garda call for witnesses and once again called for more funding to be made available to increase garda resources in rural areas.
‘I’d call on central government to release more funding to protect rural Wexford communities,’ he stated. ‘We need more Gardaí, more community policing programmes and the safeguarding of rural institutions like our post offices.’
Cllr Roche was also keen to impress that this incident in no way reflects the community of Bridgetown.
‘Bridgetown has come on so much in recent years,’ he said. ‘Where once we had boarded up houses and desolate buildings, we now have a thriving community and energetic young businesses. We have fantastic community spirit and enthusiasm for the future. I hope people remember that this incident does not represent the new Bridgetown and that we as a community will do everything we can to protect our locality.’