Update:
Wednesday, October 25th
6.45pm
The man has now been released without charge while a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
3.30pm
Gardaí have arrested a man in his 20’s connection with this incident. The suspect is being held at Shannon garda station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.
Earlier: Gardaí in Ennis are searching for an armed raider who held up a shop this evening (October 18th).
Clare Civil Defence volunteers were requested to assist and used a drone to search a large wooded area.
The lone and masked man entered Coote’s shop on the Kilrush road at around 4.00pm.
There were two members of staff in the store at the time one of whom was threatened with what’s believed to have been a gun.
The thief left the scene with an undisclosed sum of cash and ran off. A staff member pursued the man towards Clonroad Beg where he lost sight of him.
It’s believed the thief entered a wooded area known as the Rocky Road which leads up to the N85 Ennis ringroad.
Armed detectives and uniformed gardaí raced to the scene and commenced a search of the area. The area was too large and overgrown to search on foot so Clare Civil Defence was requested to assist.
The unit has a number of members trained in drone operations and carried out a search of the area.
Gardaí are also examining CCTV footage from the area and have asked the public to come forward if they have any information.
Witnesses or anyone with information can contact Gardaí in Ennis on 065 684 8100 or the garda confidential line on 1800 666 111.
No one was injured during the incident and the search is continuing.