Gardai investigate Artane kidnapping

Gardai at Coolock are investigating a kidnapping in which members of an Artane family were abducted, and the subsequent theft of a substantial sum of money that was stolen from a cash-in-transit vehicle.

At approximately 5am this morning (December 3), two female occupants were taken from their home at Gracefield Road in a white/Silver VW Caddy van, partial registration number 09D, which was driven around for a number of hours and found by gardai.

Both females were tied and bound in the back of this van in the vicinity of Chestnut Grove estate, Dunboyne, County Meath.

A spokesperson for the Garda Press Office said: “At the same time the male occupant of the house was forced to attend work at his place of employment with a cash-in-transit company and forced to hand over a substantial sum of money in the vicinity of Corballis Road Business Park, Dublin Airport.

“Thankfully the victims involved have not suffered any physical injury but are naturally tramautised by the events.”

The gardai are appealing for the public’s assistance in respect of:

•Suspicious activity in a number of specific locations between the hours of 8pm on Wednesday, December 2 and 8am on December 3.

•Any suspicious activity between the Artane Roundabout, Gracefield Road and its environs.

•Any suspicious activity in respect of a 09D Volkswagon Caddy Silver/White at Gracefield Road, Artane, Chesnut Grove, Dunboyne or between those locations.

The gardaí are also appealing for information on a small white box type van which was parked in the vicinity of Corballis Road Business Park, Dublin Airport between 7am and 8.30am today (December 3).

An incident room has been set up at Coolock Garda Station and anyone with information is asked to contact gardai on 01-6664200 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.