Oisín
12-17-2008, 12:39 AM
Roche caught up in armed raid at Wicklow hotel
Six people, including a Government minister and his official driver were today held hostage at gunpoint during a robbery at a hotel and golf resort, the Gardaí confirmed.
Minister for European Affairs Dick Roche was among the group held by three gunmen at the Marriott Hotel at the Druids Glen complex in Co Wicklow.
No shots were fired and nobody was injured during the course of the incident, which happened at around 9.30am.
Mr Roche was approached by the gunman in the main lobby of the Marriott Hotel and the raiders may not have recognised him, his spokesman said.
Father-of-four Mr Roche then had a gun held to his back at the Co Wicklow hotel complex.
The 61-year-old was with his official driver at the time and both were shaken by the incident.
"Mr Roche was returning from a daily swim at the hotel's pool when he was approached from behind and had a gun shoved into his back," said a Garda spokesman.
"He was forced into a room with his driver and other staff members.
"Obviously he is shaken by the incident but is currently helping gardaí with their inquiries."
[Continue reading] (http://www.breakingnews.ie/archives/2008/1215/ireland/mhsnaugbaugb/)
Roche 'feared he would be shot'
An Government minister feared he would be shot when confronted today by an armed gang who robbed a hotel and golf resort.
Minister for European Affairs Dick Roche was leaving the five-star Marriott Druids Glen complex near Greystones, Co Wicklow, near Dublin, after a morning swim when three men in balaclavas held a gun at his back and frog-marched him back inside.
Mr Roche was taken hostage with his driver and several members of staff before being bundled into a basement room during the hold-up.
"The man with the gun was using me as a shield to go into the hotel," said Mr Roche after the incident.
"He had it in my back. I was worried going down the corridor and the stairs of the hotel that it could be discharged."
[Continue reading] (http://www.breakingnews.ie/archives/2008/1215/ireland/mhsnaugbgbgb/)
Very disappointing, you'd think they'd have pistol whipped him at the very least. Dick Roche was the main cheer leader for the Yes vote in the Lisbon Treaty referendum, when we voted no he was one of the first politicians to say that the Irish people should be ignored and that we should be forced to vote again until we say yes.
Six people, including a Government minister and his official driver were today held hostage at gunpoint during a robbery at a hotel and golf resort, the Gardaí confirmed.
Minister for European Affairs Dick Roche was among the group held by three gunmen at the Marriott Hotel at the Druids Glen complex in Co Wicklow.
No shots were fired and nobody was injured during the course of the incident, which happened at around 9.30am.
Mr Roche was approached by the gunman in the main lobby of the Marriott Hotel and the raiders may not have recognised him, his spokesman said.
Father-of-four Mr Roche then had a gun held to his back at the Co Wicklow hotel complex.
The 61-year-old was with his official driver at the time and both were shaken by the incident.
"Mr Roche was returning from a daily swim at the hotel's pool when he was approached from behind and had a gun shoved into his back," said a Garda spokesman.
"He was forced into a room with his driver and other staff members.
"Obviously he is shaken by the incident but is currently helping gardaí with their inquiries."
[Continue reading] (http://www.breakingnews.ie/archives/2008/1215/ireland/mhsnaugbaugb/)
Roche 'feared he would be shot'
An Government minister feared he would be shot when confronted today by an armed gang who robbed a hotel and golf resort.
Minister for European Affairs Dick Roche was leaving the five-star Marriott Druids Glen complex near Greystones, Co Wicklow, near Dublin, after a morning swim when three men in balaclavas held a gun at his back and frog-marched him back inside.
Mr Roche was taken hostage with his driver and several members of staff before being bundled into a basement room during the hold-up.
"The man with the gun was using me as a shield to go into the hotel," said Mr Roche after the incident.
"He had it in my back. I was worried going down the corridor and the stairs of the hotel that it could be discharged."
[Continue reading] (http://www.breakingnews.ie/archives/2008/1215/ireland/mhsnaugbgbgb/)
Very disappointing, you'd think they'd have pistol whipped him at the very least. Dick Roche was the main cheer leader for the Yes vote in the Lisbon Treaty referendum, when we voted no he was one of the first politicians to say that the Irish people should be ignored and that we should be forced to vote again until we say yes.