Armed Robbery And Firearms Incidents, Ballymena
11 Mar 2009
An undisclosed sum in cash has been stolen during an armed robbery at a bank in Larne Road in Ballymena. The incident happened shortly before 10:00 am on Wednesday March 11, when an armed man held up a member of staff and demanded cash. The culprit made off a short time later with an undisclosed sum of money. One man was arrested in connection with the incident.
A short time later a man was fatally injured in a firearms incident, which occurred around 11:15 am, after police stopped a car in the town's Loughan Hill Park. Despite the best efforts of police and paramedics, the man died at the scene. The incident is not terrorist related. No shots were discharged by police. As is normal procedure in such circumstances, the Police Ombudsman has been informed of the incident. The man who died in the incident was later named as: Mr Edward Richard Hanley, 37 years, from Ballymena.
Police confirm that a possible link between the armed robbery that occurred at Larne Road and the firearms incident that occurred in the Loughan Hill area of Ballymena is being investigated. Police enquiries, which are at an early stage, are continuing.
Anyone who has any information regarding the robbery is asked to contact the police at Ballymena. The telephone number to ring is 0845 600 8000, or contact the 'Crimestoppers' charity on freephone 0800 555111. The Police Ombudsman has been informed of the incident.
