Raid on Ballymote ATM may be linked to three other raids
Ballymote Gardaí are following several leads in their investigation into an attack on the Ulster Bank ATM in the town in the early hours of last Friday morning.
Gardaí suspect a drill was used by at least two people to try to break into the ATM in the centre of the town between 2- 3am Friday.
Gardaí say the drill was used to try to open the machine by drilling a small hole in the face of the ATM - there was no large hole bulldozed.
While the damage was minimal the cost of repairing or replacing the ATMs are high.
The offenders apparently fled the scene empty- handed after their attempt failed.
It emerged on Friday that similar incidents took place at an ATM in Cavan town on the Wednesday night and in Westport on the Tuesday night before that again.
Their belief that it was related to the two incidents in Cavan and Mayo was further bolstered by the fact that an ATM was attacked in similar fashion in Carlow the following night.
A Garda source told The Sligo Champion that the Carlow ATM was attacked on Friday night using the same modus operandi.
“There was a further incident in Carlow so we’re liaising with our colleagues in Carlow as well as Cootehill and Westport” they said.
“The investigation is moving along. We’ve a few definite lines of enquiry now and we’re satisfied with how it’s going,” they added.
The incidents in all four towns were all at Ulster Bank machines.
Gardaí are examining CCTV footage as part of their investigation and looking into the possibility that all four incidents are linked.
Anyone who was in the area between 2- 3 am Friday and saw a vehicle or any other suspicious activity in the area is asked to contact Ballymote Garda station on 071- 918- 3333.