3 men arrested in tiger raid probe

THREE men have been arrested by detectives investigating an attempted tiger kidnapping nine months ago.

A security worker, his pregnant wife and their two-year-old son were targeted at their home near Athy, Co Kildare, last April. The planned abduction was foiled when a panic alarm was set off in the house.

A Garda spokesman said three men were arrested in Dublin yesterday morning under new anti-gangland legislation.

“Two are in their late 30s and are being detained in Naas and Newbridge Garda Stations, and one in his late 40s is being detained in Leixlip Garda Station.

“All are being detained under the provisions of Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007 as amended.”

The security worker, who was aged in his 30s, was leaving for work when the gang struck at 5am on April 27.

It is understood his pregnant wife activated a panic alarm given to employeesas part of improved security arrangements. Nobody was injured in the raid.

A white van the gang had been using was left at the scene and detectives believe four armed men may have been picked up nearby in a getaway car.

Elsewhere, gardaí are investigating an armed raid on a cash-in-transit security van at Drogheda Industrial Estate, Co Louth, at approximately 11.15am.

Four men are believed to have been involved.

A Garda spokesman said two men approached a security van driver and threatened him with what appeared to have been a shotgun.

“A cash box was taken with an amount of cash,” he said. “The men made their escape in red car, reg 97-D, which was recovered a shorttime later at Knightswood Estate, outside Drogheda.”