A Dublin-based gang is suspected of attempting to steal a cash machine from a petrol station in Co Tipperary early yesterday.
Substantial damage was caused to Casey's filling station in Toomevara when a digger was used in a failed attempt to remove the Bank of Ireland ATM.
The incident, which occurred between 1 a.m. and 1.30 a.m. on Tuesday, was cited as the work of a "travelling gang" from Dublin.
"Gardaí are following a potential line of inquiry relating to a gang outside the county, possibly a Dublin-based gang," Supt Jim Fitzgerald of Nenagh said yesterday.
Recently there has been a spate of robberies on service stations and shops throughout north Tipperary. Two weeks ago more than €80,000 worth of cigarettes was taken in a haul from a cash-and-carry shop in Nenagh.
The attempted raid on the Toomevara bank machine involved three men, one of whom was wearing a hooded jumper.
Aged in their early 20s, they used the stolen digger, which was taken from a local workshop, to batter the wall of the station repeatedly to loosen the bank machine from the wall. The corner of the building was knocked during the incident but the machine remained in place.
A car trailer was found close to the petrol station. Gardaí suspect the trailer was to be used to bring the ATM from the petrol station after it had been removed from the wall.
The Garda are interested in any information relating to the incident, particularly relating to the movements of a dark red Japanese car, probably a Nissan Almera, which sped off in the direction of Cloughjordan after the incident.
"One or two local people in the area became aware that there was something going on and the gang took off empty-handed. There was no interference with the premises and the premises was not robbed," said Supt Fitzgerald.
"We are calling on people who were in the area between 1 a.m. and 1.30 a.m. in the village of Toomevara to come forward if they have relevant information.
Anyone with relevant information can contact any Garda station or Nenagh Garda at 067-50450.