GARDAÍ IN DROGHEDA are investigating a tiger kidnapping in which an An Post official, his partner and their child were abducted from their home last night.

A number of men – at least one of whom was armed – entered the official’s house at about 10pm last night. The family were forced to remain in the house for a number of hours before all three were brought to another location.

The official was then brought to the post office at West Street in Drogheda this morning, where he brought a sum of money to a specific location.

The man’s partner and child were subsequently released unharmed at Damastown, Dublin 15, shortly after 1pm.

A silver Opel Corsa car was found burned out in Clonee at around 11:30am this morning.

Justice minister Alan Shatter said he ‘deplored’ the kidnapping, describing it as “one of the most vicious forms of crime and our sympathies go out to the victims.”

He added:

Based on initial information I have received I have asked the Garda authorities to let me have a detailed report on the circumstances surrounding the incident, including, in particular, whether agreed procedures for dealing with this sort of incident were followed.

Gardaí have appealed to the public for information on any suspicious activity at the following times and locations:

• Forest Park housing estate, Drogheda from yesterday evening to noon today,
• West Street post office, Drogheda from early this morning,
• The Tyrrelstown to Clonee road at Damastown, Dublin 15, between 11am and 1:30pm today, and
• Summerseat Housing Estate, Clonee, where the car was found burnt out this morning.

Gardaí in Drogheda can be contacted at (041) 9838777 or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111.