Specialist garda units are to be deployed against so-called hole-in-the-wall raiders where crime gangs use diggers to steal entire cash machines, it was revealed today.

Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy met senior officers in Dublin after a spate of similar robberies in the last few weeks taking the total to seven in the last nine months.

Assistant Commissioner Derek Byrne will lead operations to catch gangs involved in the daring raids using powers and resources under the anti-gangland Operation Anvil.

“Regional resources and specialist unit personnel will be deployed using Operation Anvil funding where appropriate,” Mr Murphy said.

“An Garda Siochána would strongly appeal to owners of heavy plant machinery to review their security arrangements in order to ensure their equipment is not used in these crimes.

“As many of these robberies take place in the early hours of the morning, I am also appealing to members of the community to immediately report any unusual activity to gardai.”

It is believed one gang has adopted the method, using a digger to tear down walls and pull out an ATM. The entire machine is then carted off and emptied.

But there have been a spate of similar raids across the country sparking fears that other gangs have copied their style.

The most recent attempt occurred at an Ulster Bank on Main Street, Athboy, Co Meath at the weekend. Thieves pulled the ATM out of the wall using a digger but detectives suspect the gang was disturbed and fled the scene leaving the machine behind.

The five-man gang had moved a 4X4 vehicle with a trailer into place outside the bank. However, when their efforts to rip the ATM from the wall failed the men abandoned the robbery attempt.

They then ran from the scene and are believed to have left the area in a VW Golf.

Last Friday morning, a digger was used to take an ATM from the wall at a service station on Enniscorthy, Co Wexford. Last Saturday week a gang in Co Monaghan used a digger in a failed attempt to steal a cash machine from a bank.

Last month in Co Kildare a digger ripped a cash machine from the wall of a Mother Hubbard’s restaurant in Moyvalley on the N4.

Fine Gael spokesman on justice Charlie Flanagan said gardaí needed "intelligence-led" policing and further resources to tackle ATM raiders.

“A secure digital radio network for gardaí is vital. The current analogue system can easily be tuned into by criminals and this grossly undermines garda activity. Criminals should not be in a position to anticipate garda movements," he said.

"Ultimately, the longer term solution must include community gardaí on the beat and with access to the latest technologies."

Additional reporting: PA