Trial hears garda evidence of surveillance of cars
The trial of two men accused of taking part in an attempted armed robbery has today heard evidence of garda surveillance of cars allegedly involved in the heist.
Darren Keane (aged 25) and John Boylan (aged 25) are alleged to have been the “lookout and getaway” men in the attempted robbery, involving a number of others, of a cash in transit van.
One of the raiders, Garreth Molloy, was fatally wounded during a shoot out with gardaí.
Mr Keane of Foxdene Avenue, Clondalkin and Mr Boylan of Gandon Court, Lucan have pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to attempted robbery and possession of a sawn-off shotgun at Foxborough Road, Lucan on May 15, 2009.
The jury has previously heard evidence from gardaí who were carrying out surveillance of two cars, a VW Golf and a Toyota Avensis and two men, identified as Mr Golf and Mr Avensis, on the day of the heist.
The court has heard how the cars were followed by various gardai travelling from Portland Row in the city centre out westbound along the N4 and into the Lucan area.
On the fifth day of the trial a detective garda from Garda Headquarters told Alexander Owens SC, prosecuting, that he was on duty in the Foxborough area when he became aware that a robbery attempt had taken place on the Foxborough Road.
He said he then saw the blue Golf car drive from Foxborough Road onto the Balgaddy Road.
He told the court that while he was pursuing this car he saw the gold Avensis car approach from Castle Road and he decided to abandon the Golf to pursue this second car.
The detective said he drove the wrong away around a roundabout and forced the Avensis to stop by boxing it in. He said he drew his firearm and told the driver, identified as Mr Avensis, to get out of the taxi.
Another garda told Mr Owens that he was on motorcycle duty in the Lucan area when he became aware that an armed robbery of a cash in transit van was being attempted
He said he was turning right onto the Newlands Road towards the Foxborough Road when he saw a green VW Passat, with two men inside, exiting the Foxborough Hall estate.
He said he also saw the Avensis, with a taxi sign on the roof and one man inside, also waiting to exit the Foxborough Hall estate.
The trial is set to resume on Monday before Judge Mary Ellen Ring and a jury of eight men and four women.
