Bank disruption

Hoax call prompts armed Garda response

Neill O’Neill

A HOAX call to Childline, in which somebody threatened to enter the AIB on Main Street in Castlebar with a gun, resulted in the bank being closed for a period last Tuesday morning.
Armed gardaí took up positions inside the building in response to a call during which a Childline operator was informed by the individual that he was going to enter the bank and demand money by holding a gun to someone’s head.
After the call, Childline contacted the Gardaí in Castlebar who ordered the bank to remain shut until they were satisfied the threat was not real.
A Garda spokesman said they were continuing to investigate the unusual chain of events but were satisfied that there was never any danger to the bank staff.