From the Kerry archives, July 28, 2000: Tralee bank robbery, fire at Micko's house & Westlife in Tralee

Irish Independent

27-07-2025

Kerryman
Today at 01:00
Every week in our Kerry archives piece, we take a trip back in time 25 years ago to see what was making the headlines in back then. This week, we're looking at July 7, 2000 so sit back, have a read and see if you remember if you remember any of these stories:
Terrifying raid on ACC bank
Staff at the ACC Bank at Denny Street in Tralee were subjected to a terrifying robbery on Wednesday afternoon in which a man who claimed to be armed made off with around £2,000 in cash.
The man entered the bank premises at around 3.40pm and demanded money from one of the tellers. A number of staff crouched down during the incident in which the mar said 'don't move or I will shoot'.
He was handed a quantity of money thought to be about £2,000 Bank staff had been unable to give Gardaí a definite statement on the amount at the time of going to press.
Although the man was not visibly armed, staff said he claimed to be carrying a gun and said he would use it if necessary. Staff had genuine reason to believe that the man was armed.
He was last seen leaving the premises and going in the direction of the Ashe Memorial Hall. Gardaí are using video footage from street security cameras to track his movements.
A Garda spokesman said they did not believe the man was local, although his accent was not distinct
"They couldn't detect a particular accent and described it as unusual You couldn't say it was from Kerry or Cork but it was definitely Irish," he said.
An ACC Bank spokesman said the sum of money involved was 'not substantial, it was relatively small'. Gardaí believe it was at or below £2,000. Gardaí confirmed a report that the man had entered the premises earlier in the day before returning to conduct the larceny. He was not wearing a disguise and is described as around 5'11 and clean shaven.
The bank security video was being examined or Wednesday afternoon in order to provide a visual identification of the man. Plain clothes and uniform Gardaí were also making enquiries around the town among taxi drivers, bus drivers, and hotels in order to establish any other sightings.
This is the second robbery to have occurred at the Tralee branch of ACC Bank within the last two years.
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"Staff believed he had a weapon and a sum of money was handed over in cash. They assumed he was behaving in a threatening manner and he was on his own," the ACC spokesman said.
The quantity of money handed over to the man was relatively small because the bank safe was not opened. No-one was injured in the incident and the man was not handed all the available petty cash, as some was still present in the bank after the incident.
"We wouldn't believe that he is local at all from the information we have got," the Garda spokesman said.
Witnesses said the man was wearing a white polo neck with short sleeves and a stripe around the neck. He was wearing beige or light coloured trousers.
Fire destroys Mick O'Connell's home
Legendary Kerry footballer Mick O'Connell may have lost irreplaceable memorabilia from his illustrious sporting career in a fire which gutted his Valentia Island home at the weekend.
But as his wife Rosaleen commented to The Kerryman this week: "The important thing is that, we are all safe and unharmed. Bricks and mortar can be replaced. The main thing is that nobody was hurt."
The fire which badly damaged the O'Connell's family home started shortly after 6pm on Saturday evening. When Mrs O'Connell arrived back to the house she noticed smoke billowing from the scullery. She immediately dialled '999' and tried to extinguish the fire with the help of neighbours, who arrived at the scene with buckets of water.
However, the blaze spread to the attic and most of the roof was destroyed. Despite the best efforts of several units of the Cahersiveen Fire Service, the 30-year-old bungalow was severely damaged.
"We are. thankful to God that it didn't happen in the middle of the night and that we were all out when it started. My husband as out and about, I was in Mallow and my son Diarmaid was with his aunt. It could just as easily have happened in the middle of the night when we were all there. We were very lucky," she said.
Mrs O'Connell paid tribute to her neighbours on the island whom she said have been 'fantastic' throughout the ordeal. "They've been feeding us and looking after us ever since. They've been brilliant."
At the time of interview, she knew of only one of her husband's football medals which had been found after the fire.
"We've lost a lot of things like trophies, Waterford glass and old photos but we can manage without those," she-said, adding that the sudden death of her brother-in-law in Cavan at the weekend put everything into perspective.
The exact cause of the fire has not yet been established but Mrs O'Connell said it could have been caused by an electrical fault.
Westlife coup for Rose festival
Rose of Tralee organisers pulled off a major coup this week with the announcement that chart topping boy-band Westlife will headline the festival next month with a free gig in the town on Sunday, August 20.
Teen pop sensations Samantha Mumba, Dove and Madasum have also been -.added, to the festival programme, which already includes free performances from '80s supergroup Dexy's Midnight Runners and US rock hand. Fun Lovin' Criminals.
Speculation was rife in recent weeks that Welsh rock group Stereophonies would be the headline act for the event, but festival bosses have opted instead for Sligo pop group Westlife, who have topped the British and Irish charts with hits such, as Swear it Again and Flying Without Wings.
At a second Rose of Tralee festival launch held at Dublin's Cocoon Bar on Wednesday, it was also announced that an outdoor version of To Dance on The Moon, Ceol Chiarrai's dance musical currently running at the Gleneagle Centre in Killarney, will officially open the festival on August 18 with a specially choreographed fireworks display.
Current Rose of Tralee Geraldine O'Grady, who attended Wednesday's launch, has also announced that she is to release her own CD single Reckless on August 11.