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Raiders attack security guards and fire weapon in heist terror

THIS is the terrifying moment armed thugs ambushed security guards in a failed heist.

The gun-toting robbers are caught on camera as they beat the unarmed guard with the weapon.

They then try, but fail, to shoot open a cash box full of euro notes.

The second bandit uses a plank of wood to hit the terrified guard as the raiders desperately try to get their hands on the cash.

After firing several shots, the robbers fled empty-handed, leaving the injured security guard bleeding and traumatised.

The raid, in broad daylight at a shopping centre in Navan, was one of three armed robberies in the space of two days.

THIS is the terrifying moment armed thugs ambushed security guards in a failed heist.

The gun-toting robbers are caught on camera as they beat the unarmed guard with the weapon.

They then try, but fail, to shoot open a cash box full of euro notes. The second bandit uses a plank of wood to hit the terrified guard as the raiders desperately try to get their hands on

Dramatic video of the heist can be viewed on our Sunday World video player.

CCTV captures violent raid as shots are fired and security guard is attacked before robbers armed with revolver and semi-automatic handgun flee

THIS is the dramatic moment when armed raiders attacked security workers as they tried to carry out a robbery.

Shots were fired and one security worker was badly assaulted during the terrifying attempted heist in Navan, Co.Meath, on Friday.

Shoppers looked on in horror as two men armed with a revolver and semiautomatic handgun struck as security workers were delivering cash to an ATM at the Beechmount Shopping Centre on the Trim Road.

A G4S worker was carrying a money box when the raiders - who were wearing black motorcycle helmets -pounced shortly after 11am.

The men had been waiting in a refrigerated van for the security workers to arrive before launching the ambush.

When one of the security workers was walking from the van to the bunker at the back of the ATM, the raiders moved in and attacked him and hit him over the head with a baton and demanded cash.

However, the security worker could not access the cash, as it was securely locked in a strong-box which has a dye device that explodes if tampered with.

The raiders also pistol-whipped a guard as they became frustrated that they weren't getting any loot. Another guard made his way into the security van to escape the thugs.

The footage of the incident shows a security guard on his knees holding his hands over his head as the gunmen threatened him.

One of the raiders then opened fire at the money box four times and also fired a shot at the van to try to intimidate the security workers into handing over cash.

Useless

Despite the desperate attempt to open the box by shooting it, the raiders fled the scene empty-handed. Even if they had got the box open, they would have triggered the explosive blue dye which would have rendered the money useless.

The security workers were left extremely traumatised following the horrific ordeal.

The raiders initially left the scene on a motorbike before abandoning it at Navan Rugby Club and getting into an Audi A3 driven by an accomplice.

One of the security workers was taken to hospital in Navan where he was treated for his injuries before being released.

Gardai were extremely concerned about the level of violence used and said it was lucky that no one was killed.

A source said: "It really was gratuitous violence and there was no need for the robbers to attack the staff in the way that they did. It was pure thuggery."

Investigators are examining a number of lines of inquiry. One theory being probed is that republican dissidents were involved due to the unprofessional nature of the raid attempt.

The incident was the latest armed robbery in recent days. Gardai in Dublin are investigating a separate raid at the EBS on Castle Street in Dalkey on Friday.

Two raiders, one armed with a handgun, stormed into the building society shortly after 2.15pm. They threatened staff in front of shocked customers before making off wit a small amount of cash.

Gardai in Longford are also hunting for three men who made off with a sum of cash following raid a bank raid on Thursday.

Injuries

The incident at the Ulster Bank on Market Street in Granard took place around 5pm on Thursday.

Three men, armed with a pistol and knife, ran into the bank and demanded cash.They assaulted a male bank worker during the robbery. He was taken to Mullingar General Hospital where he was treated for minor injuries.

Gardai appealed for anyone with information on that robbery to contact them.

A spokesman said: "Anyone who was in the area of the bank itself or on the Ballinalee Road, Market Square or Colmcille Terrace between 4pm and 5.20pm and who may have seen something they feel is relevant to the robbery are asked to contact Gardaí at Granard on 043 6687660. Gardai have appealed for anyone with information on the raid to contact them at Navan Garda Station.

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