Two arrested and €5,000 recovered following raid on bookie's shop

Gardaí have arrested two men and recovered €5,000 in cash after two raiders held up a bookie’s shop in Co Cork last night.

Two men wearing balaclavas and armed with pistols held up staff at Connollys Bookmakers in Tower near Blarney at about 5.30pm. The men fled in a getaway silver VW Golf which headed west in the direction of Cloghroe.

No one was injured in the raid but the three members of staff who were on duty at the time were said to be shaken after their ordeal. Gardaí from Blarney and Ballincollig as well as the armed regional support unit responded and the car was found abandoned at Canon’s Cross.

Gardaí began searching the area and arrested two men near the Angler’s Rest, Carrigrohane, and recovered €5,000 in cash.

The two men aged 25 and 26 and from Ballincollig and Mayfield can be held in detention for up to 72 hours.

One man was taken to Gurranebraher Garda station for questioning, while the other was taken to Mayfield Garda station.

Garda technical experts have begun examining the car.

Gardaí are continuing to search for the two weapons and have appealed to anyone who saw any suspicious activity in the Tower or Cloghroe areas to contact them at Gurranebraher Garda station on 021-4946200