Two held in kidnapping inquiry

Two people arrested yesterday in connection with a kidnapping and robbery in Swords, Co Dublin, were still in custody late last night.

A man aged 30 and a woman aged 21 were arrested in Dublin yesterday afternoon and held for questioning at Coolock and Malahide Garda stations under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939.

They can be detained without charge for 72 hours.

Three other people also remained in custody following a series of arrests over the weekend in relation to the same crime.

And files on seven people, released after questioning by gardaí, are being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The kidnapping was carried out by four raiders last Wednesday night.

The gang entered the Swords home of the assistant bank manager of Bank of Ireland in Balbriggan, Gerry Smith, and took his wife and two sons to a mobile home in Moynalty, Co Meath where they were held overnight.

Mr Smith went to work on Thursday morning and withdrew €500,000 for the raiders.

Three cars used in the attack have been recovered. The third of the vehicles, a green Ford Focus hatchback, was located in Slane, Co Meath, following a Garda appeal late on Saturday night.