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The Bank of Ireland branch, which was heavily damaged by the thieves, is only a few yards from the police station in Graiguenamanagh, the Irish Independent reported. But no one is on duty at the post at night, and the robbery was carried out just after 5 a.m. Friday without police interference.

Some local residents did witness the theft, including one who filmed it on his cell phone, passing on the images to authorities.

Police were also studying footage from security cameras.

The take was believed to be about 100,000 euros ($140,000).

Witnesses said four men wearing ski masks used the digger to smash down the front wall of the bank, allowing them to remove the ATM.

Police Superintendent Gerry Richmond said the theft was obviously planned carefully, calling it an "audacious crime."

"The people involved were intent on carrying out the crime and they almost destroyed the bank in so doing", he said.

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