A THUG wearing a white boiler suit and armed with shotgun raided a bookies in Co Meath last night before stealing cash.

Gardai are hunting for the man after he threatened a staff member at Bruce Betting Bookmakers in Ratoath at about 8.20pm.

The suspect – about 6ft tall and has a Dublin accent – is believed to have fled the scene in a car and drove towards Ratoath village.

A short time later, cops received a report to say a Nissan Micra was on fire in a field in Dunboyne.

It was a red car with a 99 KE registration and it is believed to have been the vehicle the thief was driving.

Cops are appealing for witnesses and to anyone who may have spotted suspicious activity in the area last night.

Gardai are hunting for the thief

Posting on the Meath Crime Prevention page on Facebook, gardai said: “Gardai are appealing for witnesses to a robbery which occurred last night in Ratoath.

“At around 8.20pm a lone male entered the ‘Bruce Betting’ Bookmakers premises in the village.

“He was wearing a white boiler suit and brandishing what is believed to have been a sawn off shotgun.

“He is described as approximately six feet in height and he spoke with a Dublin accent.

“He threatened a member of staff and made off with a quantity of cash.

“He is believed to have left the scene in a small red car which drove off at speed in the direction of Ratoath village.

“A short time later, Gardai received a report of car on fire in a field in Dunboyne.

“This vehicle was a red Nissan Micra, with a 99 KE registration and is believed to have been the vehicle use by the culprit.

“The field where the car was located is opposite the Old Fairgreen, Dunboyne.

“Anybody who was in the Ratoath/Dunboyne area last evening and who saw this vehicle being driven or who may have seen any suspicious activity in these areas is asked to contact Ashbourne Garda Station on 01-8010600 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800-666 111.”