Search for raiders after workers kidnapped

A MAJOR cross-Border police operation was underway yesterday into the second so-called tiger kidnapping in the country since last Sunday.

Senior gardaí are increasingly concerned at the phenomenon, with seven such crimes since the end of last August.

In the latest incident, the manager of McDonald’s restaurant in Derry and his partner, who is the assistant manager at the same place, were targeted by two armed men.

The raiders entered their home in Muff, Co Donegal, just on the Border with the North shortly after 7pm on Thursday.

A garda spokesman said: “They tied up the male occupant of the house.

“When the female occupant of the house returned home she was instructed to go to the fast food outlet at Waterside, Co Derry, where she is an employee, collect the takings and bring them to another location in Bridgend.”

The man was taken from his house at Grove Cottages and bundled into a car.

“The male occupant was driven around until the monies were paid over,” said the garda spokesman.

The woman drove to the restaurant and took the cash and drove to the rendezvous point. Her partner was subsequently released on the southern side of the border.

Both victims were physically unharmed, but distressed by the ordeal.

Gardaí said the raiders escaped with a small amount of money.

Superintendent Vincent O’Brien, of Buncrana Garda Station, said they were interested in the movements of two cars and appealed to the public for assistance.

The cars are a grey Ford Focus estate, registration UIW 111, and a yellow Honda Jazz, registration number unknown. Anyone with information should telephone [phone].