Gardaí Arrest Three 'Tiger Kidnap' Suspects

Three men have been arrested this morning in connection with a tiger-kidnapping incident in Dublin.

Gardaí investigating the robbery last night carried out an intelligence led operation, which resulted in the arrest of three males aged 23, 38 and 70-years-old.

A Gardaí spokesman has revealed that the Organised Crime Unit in conjunction with the investigation team from Tallaght Garda Station and Emergency Response Unit stopped a car in an apartment block off the River Road Finglas late last night and arrested 2 men. A sum of money was also recovered.

They were brought to Finglas Garda Station where they were detained under the provisions of Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007.

A number of follow up searches were also carried out and a third male, in his 70’s, was also arrested and detained.

On Tuesday, a male bank clerk and his housemate were abducted in what was described as a "traumatic" tiger-kidnapping incident in County Dublin.

Gardaí in Tallaght launched an investigation into the incident which involved the false imprisonment and abduction of the two men from their house in Deerpark, Kiltipper area in Tallaght.

According to Gardaí, at approximately 1.30am yesterday morning three armed men entered the victims' home and demanded the bank official obtain a sum of money from the bank and await instructions. It is believed at least two of the men were armed with handguns or short arms. The three men then took the second male away from the house in Deerpark.

The bank official, operating under duress, went to the AIB bank as instructed and on to a specified location where he handed over €200,000 to the gang. Shortly after 1.30pm the second man was released and sought assistance from the Gardaí in Coolock.

When Gardaí were alerted to the incident an immediate operation was put in place. Officers have launched an appeal for information from the public on any activity, which they might have seen in the following areas:

In the Deerpark, Kiltipper area between the hours of 11pm Monday night and 3.30am Tuesday morning.

Allied Irish Bank, Crumlin Cross, Dublin 12 between 8.30am and 12 noon on Tuesday.

The area around the Red Cow roundabout shortly after 12 noon yesterday, which was the location to which the bank official was directed.

The location where the second man was released at the junction of Drumnigh Road and Moyne Road, Portmarnock at about 1.30pm yesterday.

A Garda spokesman said: "Both men have been through a traumatic experience."

An incident room has been set up at Tallaght Garda Station and anyone with information is asked to contact Gardai on 01 6666056 or 01 6666000the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.

(DW/BMcC)