The Gardaí in Abbeyleix are investigating an Armed Robbery and Hi-Jacking that occurred on Friday, the 3rd September 2010 in the Doonane Estate, Cretty’s Yard, Co. Laois.
A revenue collector for Laois County Council was working in the Doonane Estate in Cretty’s Yard in Abbeyleix. He started work at half past nine in this area. He collected revenue and inputted accounts into a handheld terminal. At 1.13pm the collector was just leaving the Doonane estate travelling in his own car, a blue Opel Astra registration number 06 LS 1063. A blue Volkwagon Golf registration number 02 WX 1446 drove towards him and blocked his path.
Three men jumped out of the blue Golf. They were dressed in dark clothes and wearing balaclavas. One of the men was armed with a double barrel shotgun. They approached the driver’s door of the collector’s car. The man armed with the shotgun opened the door and pointed the gun at the side of the collector’s head and demanded money. They told him to get out of the car and continued to shout at him. The collector had a money bag around his neck. They demanded the money bag. One of the raiders grabbed the bag from the collector.
Once they had the money bag two of the men ran back towards the blue Golf and the man armed with the shotgun got into the collector’s Opel Astra. Both sped off and turned left out of the Doonane estate in the direction of Abbeyleix. About one hundred metres further down this road they turned right and travelled in the direction of Wolf Hill. The Opel Astra was recovered here a short time later. The blue Golf was recovered at 1pm on the 4th September 2010 in St. Abbans Terrace, Coolnaugh, Ballickmoyler Arles, Co. Loais.
This Golf was stolen between the 27th and 28th of August between 11pm and 8.30am in Ballyglisheen, Borris, Co. Carlow. Items recovered in this car are linked to an unauthorised taking of a green BMW X5 Jeep registration number 02 WX 8294 from Moorefield, Newbawn, New Ross, Co. Wexford on the night of the 31st August 2010. This vehicle was recovered in New Ross on the morning of the 3rd September 2010 following a failed attempt to steal a Hitachi Track Machine from a Vocational School in New Ross. A white Scania low loader truck registration number 00 WX 9088 was stolen in the early hours of the 3rd September in Morriseysland in New Ross is also connected to this incident. This vehicle was later recovered at Toughers, Dublin Road Carlow at 8.15am on the morning of the 3rd September 2011.
Description of Men:
All three men were described as being of similar height, about 5'7” of 5'8” and of similar build. They were wearing dark tracksuit bottoms or jeans. They were wearing grey balaclavas and gloves. They had flat midlands accents.
Appeal:
• Anyone who was in the Doonane estate area of Cretty’s Yard in Abbeyleix on the morning of the 3rd September 2010.
• Anyone who observed the Blue Golf registration number 02 WX 1446 in the St. Abbans Terrace area in the days prior to this incident.
• Anyone who may be in a position to assist with the investigation or who may have any information regarding the incidents associated with the Armed Robbery and Hi-Jacking incident.
Abbeyleix Garda Station 057 8730580