Following a cross border pursuit three men were arrested for stealing two cash machines in Dundalk.
At approximately 3:15 am a gang using a digger, ripped cash machines from the walls of two bank branches, AIB and Ulster Bank, in Clanbrassil Street in the centre of Dundalk, County Louth.
The ATMs were loaded onto a trailer and the robbers made their escape in two awaiting cars. Two vehicles were set alight at Dundalk Garda station to hinder the response to the incidents. An eyewitness describes the inferno and the arrival of the fire brigade at the scene.
The raiders were intercepted by members of the Garda Armed Support Unit, and following a pursuit they crossed the border into Northern Ireland. Gardaí contacted the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) who made the arrests.
Sinn Féin TD representing Louth Ruairí Ó Murchú is supportive of the actions taken by both police forces. Criminal activities are always reprehensible but particularly during the emergency of COVID-19.
Some of these people are working on the frontline in defending and protecting us against that.
The two ATMs were recovered intact and three men, two aged in their 20s and a third in his 50s, were arrested in County Armagh. They remain in PSNI custody.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 4 April 2020. The reporter is Tommie Gorman.
