A suspected armed robber was literally caught red-handed yesterday when gardai found him washing dye off banknotes stolen during a security van hold-up in Dublin 24 hours earlier.
Acting on a tip-off, gardai raided a flat in Ballymun and found the man trying to "launder" the money.
A total of £16,000 was stolen when two armed raiders held up a security van delivering money to the AIB branch in Finglas on Tuesday morning. The raiders made off with a cash box on a stolen motorcycle and are believed to have used an angle-grinder to open the box which, unknown to them, was fitted with a special security device.
During the attempt to open the cash box the security device was activated and the man and the banknotes were sprayed with red dye.
According to gardai, the dye is much more potent than ordinary paint and is extremely difficult to remove. "It would take a long time in the conventional manner to get it off. A very strong detergent would be required", a Garda source said.
The man who was arrested was described as a member of a "small gang of seasoned armed robbers" based on the north side of the city. He was being questioned under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act in Finglas Garda station last night.
A second man is still being sought in connection with the robbery, and anyone with information is asked to contact Finglas Garda station at (01) 8343581.
The managing director of CP Security Ltd, the firm whose van was held up, told The Irish Times that it was the first to introduce the "high-tech cash boxes" into the State 15 years ago. Mr Michael Fenton said his message to thieves was that there was no point in raiding its vans because any money stolen would be destroyed and rendered unusable.