A top garda who received a tip-off to thwart a post office robbery in which two raiders were shot dead by detectives today insisted he did not know the identity of the gang.
Detective Superintendent Dominic Hayes said he had been given confidential information that a heist was planned in north Dublin on May 26, 2005 and set up a counter operation.
Colm Griffin, 33, of Canon Lillis Avenue and Eric Hopkins, 24 of Lower Rutland, both Dublin, were shot dead as they attempted the daring early morning raid to steal €48,500 from Lusk Post Office.
One raider Gavin Farrelly survived and was jailed for 10 years for his role.
Det Supt Hayes, a head officer in the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, told an inquest into the killings the main aim of the operation was to prevent a robbery.
But he also revealed gardaí wanted to catch the gang members after they armed themselves.
"The position was that I had information that a robbery would take place in Lusk Post Office, the identity of the gang involved was not known to me," he told Dublin City Coroner's Court.
Up to 40 gardaí were involved in the counter operation and around 25 were on the ground in Lusk as the raiders approached.
Det Supt Hayes said it was not known if the gang would strike as cash was being delivered, what vehicle they would arrive in or when they would arm themselves.