Ennis gardaí were yesterday investigating an armed robbery of a betting office in Ennis, Co Clare on Sunday when thieves made away with a "substantial" amount of cash.
Sgt Joe Downey said yesterday that it was the most serious crime that Ennis gardaí have had to deal with in a long time. "The fact that a firearm was produced is highly significant and very frightening for the people who were working in the office at the time. No one was injured and no shots were discharged," he said.
According to Sgt Downey, a man wearing a motorcycle helmet entered Bruce betting office on Ennis's Market Street armed with a handgun just after 4 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.
After threatening staff with the gun, a sum of cash was handed over to the man.
The man's accomplice was waiting outside on a red motorcycle and they sped off in the direction of the Mill Road, which forms part of the main Limerick-Galway route.
"These two people were around the betting office for a number of hours previously and we believe they may have entered the betting office at least on one occasion. Unfortunately, each time they entered the betting office they were wearing their helmets," Sgt Downey said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact gardaí at 065-6848100.
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