The robbery took place just eleven miles from Dublin at a small farm crossing on the main train line between Straffan and Hazelhatch.
Two hours before the robbery the thieves took over the bungalow belonging to the O'Toole family. The bungalow is located beside a gate that leads into a field beside the railway track. The O'Tooles were locked in a bedroom and the telephone line was cut off. While still locked up, the family heard a number of detonators exploding and the train stop. A short time later they heard cars driving away from the scene of the robbery. Mrs O'Toole described the raiders as very polite and they even apologised for causing her and her children any inconvenience.
When the train was stopped a tell tale light at central control in Connolly Station signalled that the train had not moved and the controller rang the Gardaí. Train guard Joe Connolly describes what happened.
We remained in the van when we saw the rifle.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 31 March 1976. The reporter is John Howard.
