Gardai Thwart Cash In Transit Robbery

An attempted theft on a cash in transit vehicle has been foiled by Gardai early this morning.

Gardai have since arrested three men following the incident, which took place at Johnsbridge, County Kildare.

According to a Gardaí spokesman, the incident occurred at about 9am when Gardai from the Organised Crime Unit supported by Gardai from the Emergency Response Unit intercepted the men, one of whom is in his 20s and the other two in their 30s, in a stolen van near a hotel, in Johnstownbridge, Co.Kildare.

A security van was expected in the area at the time of the incident. A second stolen vehicle, a car, was also recovered nearby.

The men have been taken to Leixlip and Naas Garda stations where they are detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.

A number of weapons were seized but no firearms were recovered. No one was hurt during the operation.

Garda Commissioner, Fachtna Murphy, while acknowledging that he could not comment in detail on a specific investigation, praised the work of the units involved in the operation.

He said: “Information is vital to An Garda Síochána in mounting intelligence-led operations such as this. I renew my appeal to the community to pass information to us no matter how insignificant it might seem to them. My members, both in uniform and in specialist units, are working day in, day out to confront criminal activity. The safety of the community and their own safety is paramount as they carry out this work.”

(DW/KMcA)