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The vehicle burnt out in Castleblayney Co Monaghan. It is believed this is the vehicle is connected to the kidnapping on Wednesday. Philip Fitzpatrick

Gardaí investigate business kidnapping

Pictures have emerged of a burnt-out van in Co Monaghan believed to be connected to the crime.

Updated 10am

GARDAÍ AND THE PSNI are investigating a kidnapping that targeted a Belfast business earlier this week.

The PSNI confirmed that the investigation is in the early stages and both forces are working together to find the culprits.

The reported tiger kidnapping took place in the Lagmore area of West Belfast on Wednesday 17 August at around 10pm when a woman and her teenage son were abducted after armed men forced their way into their home.

Her husband, who works for a cash in transit company, was forced to attend work as usual on Thursday.

Thieves then made off with a substantial sum of cash, believed to be more than £200,000, from his vehicle yesterday afternoon.

Police were alerted to the incident on Thursday evening and were then contacted by An Garda Síochána.

The gardaí had discovered the woman and her son after they responded to a report of a burnt out van on the Castleblayney Road in County Monaghan at around 8pm.

Though they were not injured, the family are said to be extremely traumatised following their ordeal.

Police on both sides of the border are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed any suspicious activity in the Lagmore area on Wednesday evening or the Newtownhamilton to Castleblayney Road on Thursday evening to contact detectives on 0845 600 8000 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Belfast Kidnap
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  • Belfast Kidnap

    A wife and son were found at around 8pm last night when gardaí were called to an old farm house in the Mullyash area Castleblayney Co. Monaghan after a van was set on fire from a kidnap in Belfast. Picture by Philip Fitzpatrick
  • Belfast Kidnap

    A wife and son were found at around 8pm last night when gardaí­ were called to an old farm house in the Mullyash area Castleblayney Co Monaghan after a van was set on fire from a kidnap in Belfast. Picture by Philip Fitzpatrick
  • Belfast Kidnap

    A wife and son were found at around 8pm last night when gardaí­ were called to an old farm house in the Mullyash area Castleblayney Co Monaghan after a van was set on fire from a kidnap in Belfast. Picture by Philip Fitzpatrick
  • Belfast Kidnap

    A wife and son were found at around 8pm last night when gardaí­ were called to an old farm house in the Mullyash area Castleblayney Co Monaghan after a van was set on fire from a kidnap in Belfast. Picture by Philip Fitzpatrick
  • Belfast Kidnap

    A wife and son were found at around 8pm last night when gardaí­ were called to an old farm house in the Mullyash area Castleblayney Co Monaghan after a van was set on fire from a kidnap in Belfast. Picture by Philip Fitzpatrick
  • Belfast Kidnap

    A wife and son were found at around 8pm last night when gardaí were called to an old farm house in the Mullyash area Castleblayney Co Monaghan after a van was set on fire from a kidnap in Belfast. Picture by Philip Fitzpatrick

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7 Comments
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    Mute Eric Cosgrove
    Favourite Eric Cosgrove
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    Aug 19th 2011, 10:39 AM

    This type of crime should carry a minimum sentence of 25 years. Any who invades the family home like this and terrorise adults and children in the safety of their own homes deserve no less.

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    Mute Conor Hickey
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    Aug 19th 2011, 8:12 AM

    I note there is no appeal to the public for information in the report. Is this a new trend or do they know who is responsible ?

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    Mute vv7k7Z3c
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    Aug 19th 2011, 8:41 AM

    Hi Conor – the PSNI have just sent out a press release and are looking for information from the public, so I’ve updated the piece with that and new information.

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    Mute Olive Brennan~Herbst
    Favourite Olive Brennan~Herbst
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    Aug 19th 2011, 9:29 AM

    Sorry Aoife, new to Twitter, please ignore second tweet….. sorry

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    Mute Olive Brennan~Herbst
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    Aug 19th 2011, 9:24 AM

    Is my reading correct, it was the Irish police who informed the PSNI of the situation after they found the Mother and Son?

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    Mute vv7k7Z3c
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    Aug 19th 2011, 9:27 AM

    Hi Olive, I just double checked my piece and the original email – it says the PSNI were investigating it and then were then contacted by the gardaí, after the GS found the mother and son in Monaghan.

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    Mute Olive Brennan~Herbst
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    Aug 19th 2011, 9:28 AM

    From my reading of the above, was it the Garda who informed PSNI of the incident, or did the PSNI already know about it?

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