Kidnap victim rescued following high-speed chase

A woman was subjected to a traumatic ordeal when she was held at knifepoint and bundled into the back of her car by two men before being driven away at high speed.

The incident began at 6pm on Wednesday in Longford town and ended some miles away when the car crashed.

The woman, aged in her 40s, owns a well-known business in the town. Gardaí are investigating if the men planned to force her to withdraw cash or demand money for her release.