A woman who was abducted from her home in the Roffmore area of Templeogue in Dublin has been released unharmed.
The woman, who’s husband is a postmaster, was abducted shortly after 9.00 a.m. when two men, one armed with a handgun, called to her front door and then forcibly removed her to a black car that had reversed up the driveway driven by a third man.
About an hour later her husband received a phone call demanding a ransom for her release.
Gardai were made aware of the abduction and launched a major investigation involving the Emergency Response Unit, local units and air support. Road blocks were also set up in the area.
Chief Superintendent Noel Smyth told ireland.comthat the men had a scanner and were using it to monitor the garda frequencies. He said that the men upon realising the scale of the garda operation may have decided to "cut their losses and release the woman.
The woman was released, unharmed, on Caismir Road in Harold’s Cross between 11.15 a.m. and 11.30 p.m.
Gardai are appealing to the public for information about a black car with three occupants believed to have been in the Roffmore area, Harold’s Cross, Caismir Road and Dolphin’s Barn.