Terror raid at pharmacy
STAFF AT BURKE'S THREATENED BY ROBBER WITH SYRINGE
A RAIDER wielding a syringe held up a New Ross pharmacy on Monday before making off with a quantity of medication.
Proprietor Michael Burke, inset, of Burke's Pharmacy on South Street walked in on the terrifying incident, which occurred shortly after 9 a.m. 'He came straight into the pharmacy and marched into the dispensary and produced a syringe demanding drugs,' said Michael. 'He locked the girls upstairs. He held us up with a syringe – which was effectively a gun as far as I was concerned. To be held up at needle-point is a very, very scary thing.' said Michael. GARDAI ARE searching for a raider who held up staff in a New Ross Pharmacy on Monday morning before making away with a small quantity of prescription medication.
Three staff members of Burke's Pharmacy on South Street were locked upstairs by the raider, who is believed to be aged in his early 20s.
Proprietor Michael Burke, who was parking his car having just opened up the shop, walked in on the terrifying ordeal, which occurred shortly after 9 a.m.
'He came straight in to the pharmacy and marched into the dispensary and produced a syringe demanding drugs - valium and sleeping tablets,' explained Michael.
' He locked the girls upstairs. They were locked in when I walked in. He held us up with a syringe which was effectively a gun as far as I was concerned. We are all shaken. To be held up at needle point is a very, very scary thing,' said Michael.
'He was in and out in three minutes - it was frightening the speed at which it was done at,' he added.
A customer, who walked into the shop during the raid, alerted the Gardaí who were quick on the scene.
The pharmacy was closed until 12.15 p.m. to allow Gardaí time to carry out a forensic examination. The ordeal was also recorded on CCTV, which will form part of the Garda investigation.
' The Gardaí should be praised they were here phenomenally fast and the number of customers who came in to check was everyone alright was much appreciated. We got nothing but well wishes all day,' said Michael.
The raider, who had a Dublin accent, was wearing a hoodie, which came down over his face, and gloves.
Gardaí in New Ross, who are investigating the robbery, are appealing for information from people who saw any suspicious activity in or around the South Street area either before or after the incident to come forward.
- Elaine FURLONG
