|
|
Raiders hold up soccer squad's hotel
Monday November 17th 2003
A SHOT was fired during an armed raid last night at the Dublin hotel where the Irish soccer squad were staying in preparation for tomorrow's friendly match against Canada.
Three masked and armed men entered the lobby of the Links Hotel at the Portmarnock Golf and Country Club at around 6.30pm yesterday telling children, guests and assembled journalists to get onto the ground before demanding cash.
A shot was fired into the ceiling of the lobby, with one raider jumping over the reception desk and taking the contents of the safe. Gardai said the gang got away with a couple of hundred euro in cash, and that no-one was injured.
One man said he saw a gunman dressed in denim wearing a balaclava. Two of the raiders jumped the counter to get at the safe.
Witnesses said the lobby was very busy, with about a dozen children present hoping to get autographs from their favourite players. The Irish team was not present, having just entered the dining room for their evening meal before the raid.
They were immediately rushed via a back stairs to their bedrooms by FAI security officers.
Journalists who were attending a press conference were present, along with parents and hotel guests.
The FAI's head of security, Derek McGuinness, was singled out for praise after he told the children to fall to the floor, keeping them calm and insisting they did not look at the raiders.
FAI Chief Executive Fran Rooney later praised the security team, saying the raid had nothing to do with the fact the team were staying in the hotel.
"It's very unfortunate that it happened," he said.
"It appears to be totally unrelated to the fact that the team were staying in the hotel. Thank God nobody was hurt. I am very pleased with reports on how our security reacted."
After the incident, which was over in less than a minute, Irish player Matt Holland spoke to the children and signed autographs.
Gardai said the raiders escaped in a red BMW. The scene was preserved for technical examination. The car was later found in Coolock.
The Irish team, knocked out of Euro 2004, is playing the friendly against Canada at Lansdowne Road on Tuesday as it starts its long preparations for the next World Cup.
Ireland manager Brian Kerr and midfielder Matt Holland were making a video for the Share A Dream Foundation when the robbery took place.
"Matt had to go out of the room and when he came back he said there had been a hold up. I thought he was joking," said Kerr.
"It didn't affect the team at all and our only concern was for the staff of the hotel who have been great to us. I am just glad nobody was hurt."
"It's not something I have come across but it is a sign of the times when people are that desperate for money."
Kerr also insisted that none of his players were in danger at any time.
"The majority of the players were down at 6.30pm for their dinner and heard a noise, but it didn't really affect them. I would say none of them moved faster than that for a while."
Kerr said that the Ireland team would not be changing hotels.
Paul Melia and Gerry McDermott
|
