Gardaí yet to contact kidnapped woman’s husband

GARDAÍ investigating the kidnapping of a mother-of-three from her home were last night considering whether to contact her estranged husband.

Helen Judge's former partner Liam Judge ran away to Spain with his girlfriend the daughter of crime boss John Gilligan after his marriage broke up 18 months ago.

Garda sources yesterday confirmed they had not yet contacted Mr Judge and said any decision to do so would be part of the investigation.

Ms Judge, 41, was subjected to a terrifying ordeal when she was snatched from her home in Allenwood, Co Kildare, sometime between 11pm on Sunday last and 3am on Monday.

Her kidnappers have demanded a ransom of €200,000.

Ms Judge was dragged from her modest bungalow barefooted and wearing only a lemon-coloured dressing gown and lemon night dress.

Assistant Commissioner Joe Egan said they were investigating any possible links between the kidnapping and other crimes in the area. "We've no indication it's related to any specific case. Obviously at this stage in our investigations we haven't got a specific target. We're looking at all incidents in the general area and farther afield."

He heads a team of local gardaí and expert national units. Detectives are attempting to draw up a list of people who may have a dispute with Helen or Liam Judge, but have little to go on.

Liam Judge worked as a businessman and haulier before moving to Spain, where he is thought to be still driving lorries.

Officers are concerned for Ms Judge's health and safety and said she suffers from an illness that requires treatment.

Gardaí were informed of the kidnapping by Ms Judge's family after one of her sons discovered she was missing at 3am on Monday.

The kidnappers rang the home at 4am and issued the ransom and warned the family not to ring gardaí.

A full forensic examination was carried out at the house at 8am on Monday but no fingerprints were found.

Gardaí had requested the media not to report the kidnapping on Monday.

When no developments emerged, they decided to make a public appeal yesterday morning.

Ms Judge is described as 5' 4", 11-and-a-half stone, with blond hair and a birthmark on her left cheek.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Kildare Garda station at 045-522553, or the Garda confidential line at 1800 666 111.