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Staff threatened at knifepoint in Bantry

March 29th, 2016 11:55 AM

By Jackie Keogh

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BY JACKIE KEOGH A man attempted to rob takings from a petrol station in Bantry last week.

BY JACKIE KEOGH

STAFF at a petrol station in Bantry were threatened at knifepoint last week.

A lone man, who was wearing a red hoodie, entered the Maxol Station at 9.19pm on Wednesday, March 16th, and attempted to rob the takings.

Businesses throughout West Cork were put on alert via a Business Watch scheme and gardai asked them to be ‘extra vigilant’ and to ensure that their CCTV systems, as well as their panic alarms, are in good working order.

It is alleged that the man threatened a member of staff and used the knife with menace to demand that the contents of the till be handed over. He was, however, disturbed when a customer entered the premises and he ran from the scene.

A full description of what the suspect – who is believed to be 6ft tall – was wearing is available from the excellent CCTV footage taken in the Maxol station. He was wearing a distinctive red, zip-up hoody with white writing on the front left side (possibly WTA). 

He had the hood up over his head and a white scarf covering his nose and mouth. He was also wearing baggy grey tracksuit bottoms and navy or black canvas shoes with white soles and white laces, as well as light coloured gloves.

The manager of the petrol station told The Southern Star that his employee was naturally upset after the incident. ‘He got a fright, but is okay. This is the first time that anything like this has happened here and we hope the gardai will be successful in apprehending the suspect.’

Local gardai are asking anyone with any information about the suspect or the car he used to make his getaway – a small green car with a sunroof – to contact them on 027-20860.

Meanwhile, gardai confirmed that a car had overturned on the Bantry to Skibbereen road, outside Ballydehob, on Wednesday morning. They said  that no one was injured as a result of the accident.

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