Woman arrested over Dublin abduction

GARDAÍ HAVE said they are “extremely concerned” for the welfare of a 29-year-old Dublin man who was abducted in East Wall five days ago.

Ciarán Noonan, a father of one originally from Blanchardstown, has not been seen since he was chased, beaten and bundled into a black VW Golf car on Russell Avenue at about 4.45pm last Thursday.

A woman in her mid-20s was arrested in Blanchardstown at lunchtime yesterday and was held in Store Street Garda station for questioning in relation to the incident.

The car used in the abduction was discovered by gardaí in the basement car park of an apartment complex at Killegland, Ashbourne, Co Meath, on Saturday evening. Gardaí believe it arrived there at about 8pm on Thursday, some three hours after Mr Noonan was taken.

The vehicle, registration number 05D88805, was a “very distinctive model”, gardaí said, with rear spoiler, spoked wheels and tinted windows. They have asked possible witnesses to bear in mind that it was unlikely to have taken a direct route to Ashbourne, a distance of less than 30km, due to the length of time between the abduction and the car’s arrival in the car park.

Det Insp Willie McKenna said gardaí were following up to 250 lines of inquiry and were “keeping an open mind” as to why Mr Noonan was abducted. They were appealing for witnesses in East Wall, Ashbourne and anyone who may have seen the car before the incident or on route to Ashbourne.

“We are extremely concerned for the welfare of this man. We haven’t seen or heard from him since that incident took place last Thursday, on the 20th, so we are gravely concerned for him.”

Garda technical experts are continuing to examine CCTV from East Wall and Ashbourne, while eye-witness descriptions of the kidnappers are being assessed. Det Insp McKenna said positive identifications have yet to be established.

“We suspect there were up to four people involved in the abduction. We have witnesses who have provided various descriptions but we cannot actually pin those descriptions down to any great degree at the moment.”

Det Insp McKenna said it was “quite possible” that Mr Noonan was being held somewhere.

Anyone who may have seen the car or its occupants, or anyone who may have information in relation to the abduction is urged to contact Store Street Garda station at 01-6668089 or 01-6668000. They can also contact the Garda confidential line at 1800-666111.