TWO PENSIONERS were threatened at gunpoint and tied up by four masked raiders during a botched robbery at a house in south Dublin yesterday morning.
Gardaí sped to the scene in Templeogue after a neighbour of the couple alerted them. When uniformed and armed detectives arrived at the house in the Ashfield estate, the robbery was just ending. Two of the gang managed to flee, but their accomplices werearrested.
No firearms were seized during the operation, but gardaí believe at least one of the men that escaped was armed.
The married couple were at home at 10am when the four masked men called to the property and gained access. Gardaí are working on the theory that the raiders wrongly believed the man was a prominent member of a local golf club and kept large sums of cash at home.
The couple, who are in their mid-60s, were threatened and handcuffed. Money was demanded, and two of the men escaped with what is believed to be around €3,000.
The other two arrested at the scene were taken for questioning to Rathmines and Terenure Garda stations. They are being held under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act and can be detained for up to 72 hours without charge.
Aged 25 years and 35 years, the men have addresses in Rathmines and the south inner city. They are know to gardaí but would not be seen as major criminal figures.
The Garda helicopter aided in the search for the men who escaped. However, both were still being sought last night. Anyone with information should contact Terenure Garda Station on 01-6666400 or the Garda confidential line on 1800-666111.