£22,000 taken from two banks

An estimated £20,000 was stolen from the Bank of Ireland in Drumcondra, Dublin, yesterday evening.

An estimated £20,000 was stolen from the Bank of Ireland in Drumcondra, Dublin, yesterday evening.

Two men entered the bank at about 5.30 p.m., after it had closed for business. They entered by a back window and there were indications last night that the bars on one window, had been sawn through earlier, but left in place in preparation for the robbery.

The men, carrying iron bars, forced staff to lie on the floor. They collected about £20,000 before leaving by the rear and escaping on a motor cycle.

Half an hour earlier two men stole about £2,000 from the National Irish Bank branch in Lower Baggot Street. They were armed with a hammer and a knife.