Two gunmen opened fire on a security van which was delivering cash to an ATM in Dublin city yesterday morning. It was the sixth attack on a cash-in-transit vehicle in the capital in just over two weeks.
The masked men attempted to rob the 4x4 vehicle in Liffey Street at about 8.30am, shortly before it was due to make a cash delivery at the Ilac Centre in Henry Street.
Gardaí said two shots were fired, but nobody was injured and no cash was stolen.
The men are understood to have followed the Nissan Patrol security vehicle in a silver Nissan Almera car.
When the security vehicle came to a stop in Liffey Street, the men ran alongside it and yelled at the staff to unlock the doors.
According to a delivery man who witnessed the incident, one of the men fired a shot at the front passenger window, before shouting at the security personnel to open the door.
When they refused, another shot was fired at the same window. Neither of the security staff was injured.
Deterred, the would-be raiders then returned to their car, drove north along Liffey Street and turned left on to Henry Street before making their escape via Mary Street by 8.40am.
The security vehicle was removed to Store Street Garda station for technical examination.
Fine Gael's justice spokesman Jim O'Keeffe said the attempted raid reinforced his view that Dublin was "in the grip of a crime epidemic".
"This Government said it would be judged on whether or not people feel safe. How can anyone feel safe in our capital city when criminals decide to carry out armed raids on cash deliveries in broad daylight on one of Ireland's busiest shopping streets?" he asked.
"Dublin is in the grip of a crime epidemic. The city is awash with guns, from AK47s to sawn-off shotguns. Almost every consignment of cocaine that arrives on these shores is accompanied by more lethal weapons, while firearms offences increased significantly last year."
Minister for Justice Michael McDowell said last week that a new licensing system for cash-in-transit companies would be in place in less than six months.
He was speaking after meeting representatives from the banking and private security sectors following a recent spate of armed attacks on security vans.
Meanwhile, Siptu officials said they would be holding talks with Mr McDowell about the upsurge in attempted robberies.
Union officials and representatives of cash-in-transit security staff are due to meet the Minister next Tuesday to raise their members' safety and security concerns.
The delegation, which will be led by Siptu general president Jack O'Connor, will ask the Minister to support the following measures:
- an increase in armed Garda escorts for ATM cash-in-transit deliveries while the risk of attacks remains high, and the deployment of more resources in the effort to capture the gangs behind the attacks;
- the introduction of technology that would prevent access to staff from the time the cash leaves the security company vault until it is deposited;
- ensuring that such technology is a requirement for companies receiving a licence to operate;
- secure parking for cash deliveries as near as possible to the collection/delivery point;
- exempting drivers from incurring penalty points for parking on double yellow lines or on the path, where necessary, to cut the risk of attack;
- the immediate installation of CCTV at ATM outlets and on cash-in-transit vans.