Gardaí issue warning about ATM skimming devices

Two men arrested this morning

Gardaí in the Kildare Division arrested two males in Blanchardstown this morning in connection with the use of a skimming device on a bank ATM in Kildare  yesterday.

Kildare gardaí, supported by the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau, Harcourt Square, had been working closely with a major Irish financial institution in an attempt to intercept the criminals involved.

It is thought that these criminals form part of an Eastern European criminal organisation and the arrests are seen as a significant development in this case which involved the targeting of eight different bank branches in Dublin, Kildare and Meath.

Skimming devices and credit cards were recovered at the scene of the arrests.

The two males, in their 30s, are being held at Newbridge and Kildare Garda Stations under Section 4 of The Criminal Justice Act.

They will be interviewed there in relation to their criminal activities.

Detective Chief Superintendent Patrick Lordan of Garda National Economic Crime Bureau said: “Gardai are working on a daily basis with the financial institutions to prevent fraud.

"I would again like to stress the importance of being vigilant in all your financial dealings.

"Pay particular attention to suspicious activity or unusual items in the vicinity of ATMs.”