Lone raiders rob banks in Limerick and Waterford

Gardaí are investigating robberies at two banks in Limerick and Waterford yesterday. A man made off with an undisclosed sum from the bank in Waterford in the afternoon. He was described as being in his 30s, "stocky" and between 5ft 7ins and 5ft 9ins.

The man, who spoke with a local accent, made his way into the National Irish Bank in the city centre shortly before 4pm.

He was dressed in black clothes with a baseball cap, and was reported to be brandishing a firearm. However, it has not been confirmed whether the gun was real or an imitation.

Nobody was injured during the raid on the bank at John Roberts Square/Arundel Lane.

There was confusion over whether the man, whose face was covered with a scarf, made his way towards Arundel Square or down the pedestrianised Barronstrand Street towards the Clock Tower on The Quay. Investigating gardaí questioned staff and management at the bank.

Meanwhile, gardaí in Limerick recovered a stolen vehicle used in a bank raid on the outskirts of the city at lunchtime yesterday.

A sum of cash was also recovered in the stolen vehicle following the raid on the AIB branch in Raheen shortly before lunchtime. A lone raider in his early 20s entered the premises and made off with the cash after threatening staff with what is believed to have been a screwdriver.

The raider, who wore a scarf wrapped around his face, escaped in the stolen Jeep-like vehicle which was recovered a short time later in the O'Malley Park area.

Gardaí at Roxboro were yesterday carrying out a technical examination on the vehicle and the recovered cash as part of their investigation.

Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to contact Roxboro Road Garda station.