Ireland

Cash machine ripped from wall of Co Monaghan bank

Gardaí are investigating the theft of another ATM
Gardaí are investigating the theft of another ATM Gardaí are investigating the theft of another ATM

A cash machine has been torn from the wall of a bank in Co Monaghan in the latest in a spate of ATM thefts.

A digger was used to pull the machine from the AIB on Main Street in Castleblayney this morning.

When gardaí were called to the scene at around 3am, they found a John Deere tractor and a trailer blocking York Street in the town.

The digger's engine was still running.

A dark 4x4, with the ATM on a trailer, was seen travelling towards Co Armagh.

The scene in Castleblayney was sealed off this morning.

The theft came just two days after a cash machine was ripped from the wall of a shop in Ahoghill, Co Antrim, early on Monday.

Last month the PSNI announced the creation of a dedicated task force to investigate cash machine thefts, following a surge in the number of cash machines stolen from rural areas.

The PSNI said there have been seven ATM thefts this year, with a further two since the recent spate started in October 2018.

A cash machine was also stolen in Cavan earlier this year.

Police said several gangs are behind the robberies.