Men sought following unsuccessful cash-in-transit robbery

Two armed raiders are being sought by gardai after a cashbox they stole in a transit van robbery exploded, possibly covering them in red dye.

The “substantial” amount of money it contained was destroyed and subsequently recovered not far from the scene, although the men got away.

The incident occurred at about 3pm today at the entrance of an Aldi supermarket at Bagenalstown, Co Carlow.

Cashboxes are often rigged to explode and release indelible dye in order to destroy money and cover the clothing of those responsible for robberies.

Gardai say the men drove to the entrance of the building in a black BMW coupe where one of them, armed with a gun and wearing a mask, approached a guard at the security van and demanding the money he was collecting. No shots were fired and there were no injuries.

In a follow-up search the cashbox and its contents were found on the Dunleckeny Road.

Both men were wearing balaclavas and gloves which may have been stained. The BMW has not been recovered.

Anybody with any information or who saw any suspicious activity in the area this afternoon are asked to contact gardai at Bagenalstown garda station on (059) 9774120, the garda confidential line on 1800 666 111 or any station.