TWO MEN WHO robbed a major Bank of Ireland branch in Dublin yesterday made their getaway by hijacking a taxi.

Gardai have released further details of the raid which happened at around 11.40am yesterday at the College Green bank. The two men entered the foreign exchange section of the bank and threatened staff with a handgun. They made away with a sum of money through the side entrance of the bank.

They ran from College Green through Fleet Street and Princess Street onto Aston Quay where they hailed a taxi. The men then pulled a firearm on the taxi driver and ordered the driver out. They had both a handgun and a shotgun with them. The raiders drove the car to St Michael’s Estate in Dublin 8 where they abandoned it.

While gardai say no-one was injured during the raiders’ spree, they have a description of both robbers and urge anyone with information to contact Pearse Street Garda station on 01 666 9000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.

One of the raiders was in his late 20s/early 30s, of average build and between 5ft 10in and 6ft in height. He was wearing a dark blue hooded jacket, had a dark scarf over his face and carried a small black handgun.

The other raider was in his mid 40s, of thin build and smaller than the first raider at between 5ft 7in and 5ft 8in in height. He was wearing a dark jacket, dark hat and scarf and was carrying a shotgun.

Both spoke with Dublin accents.