RAIDERS MADE off with an ATM bank machine after they smashed a 4x4 vehicle through the shutters of a filling station and post office yesterday morning. They abandoned the vehicle inside the shop, which was "completely destroyed" during the robbery.
The raid, at McCullagh's service station at Bagenalstown, Co Carlow, occurred between 3am and 4am yesterday. The thieves are understood to have made their getaway with a "substantial" amount of cash in the Bank of Ireland ATM in a second car.
It is believed the raid is connected to three similar robberies in the area over the last two weeks.
Gardaí would not confirm how much money was taken. However, shop-owner James Bolger said the stolen ATM contained a "substantial" amount of cash.
"This is a shopkeeper's nightmare," said Mr Bolger. "Urgent action needs to be taken to protect retailers from crimes like this and to ensure that gardaí have sufficient resources to bring the criminals to justice.
"This is the fourth such raid in the area in two weeks, and if additional resources aren't made available to gardaí it's guaranteed to happen again and again."
Yesterday's raid follows a similar robbery at Devoy's garage on the Wexford Road in Carlow last Thursday, and two others in the last 14 days.
Garda units were yesterday examining the scene, which remained sealed off. It is understood the vehicle used in the robbery, a Toyota Land Cruiser, was stolen the previous evening in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford.
Sgt Martin O'Halloran of Bagenalstown said gardaí were looking at CCTV footage and the investigation was at an early stage.