Armed kidnappers get away with €170,000

GARDAÍ IN Drogheda have begun an investigation into a kidnapping in which the wife of a cash-in-transit official was held in a derelict house.

The incident which involved the woman’s abduction began at 9pm on Friday when she and her husband were held at their home in Monasterboice, Co Louth.

At 6am on Saturday the woman was taken from the house in a silver Mercedes with a registration number 02 D 43757. Her husband was ordered to obtain a sum of money from the Brinks Allied premises at Clonshaugh, Dublin, and to await further instructions.

During the course of Saturday morning, the Garda became aware of the ongoing incident and a response team was put in place.

At 8.30am, a silver Toyota Landcruiser, with registration number 01 KE 843, was seen leaving the Clonshaugh premises and was later seen in the area of Plunkett College, Drumcondra and at Thatch Road, Whitehall. It was found abandoned and on fire at St John’s Wood, Ashbourne, at 9.30am.

It is believed €170,000 had been handed over to the armed gang, who were dressed in dark overalls and balaclavas.

At about 10am the wife of the official was released from the back of a derelict house on the Howth Road, Dublin. The silver car in which she had been taken from her home was found burnt out outside the derelict house.

The gardaí are seeking any information about these incidents.

A spokesman said the couple had “been through a traumatic experience”.

They are seeking information about any suspicious activity in the Brownstown area of Monasterboice over the weekend, or in the later days of last week.

“An incident room has been set up at Drogheda Garda station and anyone with information is asked to contact gardaí on 041 9874200.”