Garda appeal after kidnap
The postmaster’s son Tommy Kelliher, 25, was held by an armed gang for about eight hours during a terrifying ordeal which began on Tuesday morning.
The 25-year-old, who was looking after the family business for his parents, Tom and Geraldine Kelliher, who were on holidays, was confronted at the rear of the post office at 8.30am by an armed and masked man.
He was held for a ransom believed to be in the region of €100,000 which was paid later that morning by a female post office worker.
The woman was contacted and told to take the money to a wooded area between Caraigkerry and Athea in Co Limerick, which she did between 11am and midday.
Mr Kelliher was later found uninjured in the boot of his Black BMW at about 4pm in the Templegreen housing estate in Newcastle West.
So far nobody has been arrested in connection with the armed robbery and Sergeant Brian Broderick has renewed the Garda appeal for information.
“We are appealing for anybody who was in the Newcastle West, Carraigkerry, Athea and Templegreen area on Monday night or Tuesday morning and anybody who may have seen the black BMW at any location between the hours of 8am and 4pm or indeed anyone who may have any information in relation to the crime to contact the gardaí at Newcastle West on (069) 20650 or the Confidential line on 1800 666 111 or indeed any garda station,” Sgt Broderick said.
Meanwhile, the president of Newcastle West Chamber of Commerce has advised businesses in the town to be extra vigilant following the kidnapping incident.
Kieran O’Regan said: “I would ask maybe that all our business community to take note that you can never be vigilant enough.”
