GARDAÍ ARE investigating an armed bank robbery in Co Wicklow during which a substantial sum of money is understood to have been taken.
Three men entered the Bank of Ireland branch in Rathdrum at about 11.15am yesterday armed with a lump hammer and a firearm and demanded money.
The men, who were dressed in white boiler suits and had their faces covered, threatened staff and left the premises shortly afterwards with an undisclosed sum of money.
No shots were fired during the incident and no staff or customers were injured.
A spokeswoman for Bank of Ireland said she could not reveal how much had been taken by the robbers and stressed that it was the company’s policy not to comment on such matters.
However, local sources said they believed “a substantial sum” had been taken and that the gang had probably staked out the bank for a number of days before deciding to pounce.
Gardaí said the men escaped the scene in a black Mitsubishi 4x4 at about 11.20am. The vehicle had 96 WW registration plates, which detectives understand to be fake.
The incident is being investigated by detectives from Wicklow Garda station, who yesterday appealed for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.
They can be contacted at Wicklow station on 0404-60140 or on the Garda confidential line at 1800-666111.