The JCB Fastrac tractor and the digger used as part of the ATM robbery in Kells in the early hours of Friday 19 April had been stolen from the Louth and Meath areas overnight, gardaí have confirmed.

When gardaí arrived at the scene before 4.30am on Friday morning, they saw that two ATMs had been ripped from the Bank of Ireland and AIB bank premises in the town centre.

Damage

A Garda spokesperson said: “A JCB Fastrac tractor and trailer and a excavator remained at scene.

"Both the JCB tractor and the excavator were stolen in the Louth and Meath areas overnight.

“A significant amount of damage was caused to both premises and both premises remain closed. The scene is preserved pending technical examination from divisional scenes of crime unit,” she said.

The gardaí are now appealing for any person who was in Kells on Friday morning between 3.30am and 4.20am and who saw anything unusual to make contact.

They are also appealing for any person who saw heavy machinery being moved or transported between Ardee and Kells, the N52 or adjoining roads in the early hours of the morning to contact gardaí, and any person who may have been driving in that area and who has dashcam footage.

Jeep and Volkswagen

Gardaí believe those responsible left the scene in a dark-coloured crew-cab jeep and a dark-coloured Volkswagen car along the Maudlin Road towards Carlanstown, the N52.

Gardaí are appealing for any person who saw these vehicles or knows the whereabouts of these vehicles to contact them at Kells Garda Station on 046-928 0820, the Garda confidential line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.

'An organised planned attack'

Speaking at the scene today, Superintendent Dermot O'Conner said: "This crime was an organised planned attack on the community of Kells.

“This crime is not a victimless crime and will have a significant impact on the community of Kells and the local area over this Easter bank holiday weekend.

"I appeal to the local and wider community to support An Garda Síochána and to provide any information to bring these criminals to justice,” he said.

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