Downpatrick businessman recovering after robbery

Downpatrick businessman recovering after robbery

3 July 2013

A DOWNPATRICK filling station owner is recovering after a horrific hammer attack during an armed robbery.

Paddy Flynn, left with a torn ear and severe bruising, was set upon by two men as he left his Market Street premises with Monday night’s takings.

Pushed to the ground he was kicked and punched and hit with a mallet style hammer.

Mr. Flynn then tried to pursue the men, who attempted to climb over a fence into the nearby South Eastern Regional College.

After grabbing one of them by the legs he was set upon once again with the hammer.

Gary Flynn, Mr. Flynn’s son, said his father was lucky not to have had any bones broken.

He said his father was heading out to his car around 9pm when he noticed the two men in hoodies waiting by the adjacent fish and chip shop.

“He ran towards the car but they jumped on him and pushed him to the ground,” said Gary. “They punched him to the face trying to get him to release the bag.

“They ran towards the tech, jumped on the bonnet of a car and tried to get over the wall.”

Gary said that as his father was trying to prevent one of his assailants climbing over the wall he was hit on his arm with the hammer to force him to release his hold.

“They headed in the direction of St. Patrick’s Drive,” he said. “We really hope they have been captured on camera.”

Gary said he believed this had been a planned attack by the robbers.

“Last year we were broken into when burglars broke in through the roof and the office was broken into,” he said. “But this was completely different.”

Gary said his 50 year-old father, who has run the BP College Filling station for the past 20 years, was shocked but now recovering well at home.

“He had to go to hospital for stitches in his ear and there’s a graze on his head,” said Gary. “He’s just really swollen, his jaw is swollen right up where he was hit and his ribs are sore where he was kicked.

“He just wants to avoid anyone else he knows getting robbed like this, it is not about a day’s takings.

“It could have been a lot, lot worse. It’s no comfort, but it could have been worse.”

Both men are described by police as being in their early twenties, about five feet seven inches in height and wearing dark clothing and trainers.

Detectives are asking anyone who may have witnessed this incident or who has any information to contact them at Downpatrick on 0845 600 8000. To provide information anonymously contact the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.