Woman and children held up in Terenure carjacking

Gardaí were tonight appealing for information following the hijacking of a car with a woman and two children on board in south Dublin.

The incident occurred at approximately 3.40pm when the woman and her two children were stopped at traffic lights in a grey BMW estate at the junction of Zion Road and Orwell Road, Terenure.

A man who was not known to the woman climbed into the back of her car while she stopped at traffic lights. He threatened her and claimed to be armed with a weapon before demanding money from her.

The woman was then instructed to drive to her house and retrieve bank cards. She complied with these demands and was then instructed to drive to an ATM at the AIB Bank in Rathgar.

The man once again demanded that she withdraw money from the ATM. He then forced her to drive the car to Portobello at which point he left the car.

The woman and the two children were uninjured during the incident.

Detectives last night described the culprit as being approximately 5’9” (1.7m)with dark shaved hair. He was unshaven and of medium build. He was wearing a dark wax type jacket and a dark scarf.

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to contact them at Terenure Garda station.

Investigating officers are particularly appealing for anyone who may have been close to the junction of Zion Road and Orwell Road around 3.40pm and saw a suspicious male hanging around.

The injured party claims she sounded the car horn when the man jumped into the back of her car and anyone who was in the area has been asked to think if they heard the sound and whether there was any suspicious activity around that time.

Gardaí are also appealing for anyone who may have seen unusual behaviour around the ATM at the AIB Bank in Rathgar between approximately 4.05pm and 4.10pm to contact them in Terenure on 01 6666400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.