Slieve Gullion area Councillor Declan Murphy has said that both police services should be given the power to pursue and arrest criminals irrespective which road they use to evade detection.
The Councillor speaking after arrests were made following Saturday's ATM thefts in Dundalk said ”I fully concur with my Party colleague Ruairi OMurchu TD in the condemnation of the recent reprehensible attack on Bank services in Dundalk.
"For many people, Bank ATMs are the only way people can access money to pay for vital necessities, particularly during out of hours and to loose this resource causes further hardships in an already trying time”.
The Slieve Gullion Councillor continued “Three men have subsequently been arrested and two ATMs recovered in south Armagh early this (Saturday) morning. The machines were stolen from Dundalk. The suspects were pursued to the border by An Garda Siochana. PSNI officers were then able to establish their location and make the arrests”.
Concluding Councillor Murphy said “The cross border nature and quick response by An Garda Sciochanna and the PSNI has to be commended.
"The criminal gangs involved in this kind of activity are not only an attacking our community, but allowing elements within society to continue with their campaign of demonising our area.
"Criminals don't recognise borders, nor should we. Both Police services should be given the power to pursue and arrest criminals irrespective which road they use to evade detection”.
