Man held in connection with tiger kidnapping

A man has been arrested in Limerick in connection with an abduction which took place earlier this week.

Yesterday’s arrest was described by gardaí as a significant breakthrough in an investigation into a suspected tiger kidnapping.

On Sunday night, a gang abducted Stephen Cusack, aged 19, the son of the Garryowen sub-postmistress Carol Cusack, along with his friend at a house in the Castletroy area.

After being taken to a derelict property, Mr Cusack’s friend was released. He had been advised to contact the Cusack family and tell them their son would be released if a large sum of money was withdrawn from the sub-post office and handed over.

While alone with one of the gang members, Mr Cusack managed to free himself and ran off through fields.

The gang fled the scene and the van used in the abduction was found on Monday on the Tipperary road side of the city.

No money was handed over.

Yesterday, a man in his 20s was arrested in an early- morning raid involving armed gardaí, including members of the Regional Support Unit, at a house in Garryowen.

About 20 gardaí, led by Det Sgt Ronan McDonagh, entered the house with a search warrant shortly before 8am.

The man was detained at Henry St Garda Station under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, which allows gardaí to hold him for up to seven days.

The man arrested is a prime suspect.

Another person was charged midweek in relation to the incident and gardaí are seeking others in connection with the crime.