Man held hostage in cross-border chase

A taxi man was taken hostage by two armed men and forced to drive at gunpoint across the border as they were chased by gardaí, it emerged today.

Two men were approached by detectives after officers raided a house in the Ardnalorgan estate, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan last night and seized a firearm.

A 19-year-old and 39-year-old man were later arrested in the north.

A garda spokesman said officers approached the taxi after the house search but two men forced the driver to speed out of the town and later cross the border.

"Gardaí attempted to arrest two men in a taxi," the spokesman said.

"During the arrest one of the men produced what is believed to be a firearm and forced the taxi driver to drive off."

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) later arrested two men in Keady, Co Armagh.

Gardaí said the house in Castleblayney was raided at around 8.30pm last night in a planned operation.

A 38-year-old woman was arrested at the home and is being held at Castleblayney garda station.

Gardaí said no shots were fired and no-one was injured.

A PSNI spokesman said officers stopped the car and arrested two men at around 8.45pm after being alerted by gardaí.

The pair can be held for up to 36 hours and are being questioned by PSNI detectives.

The joint investigation is being led by the gardaí, the PSNI spokesman said.

"Following reports from gardai of an incident in Castleblayney shortly after 8.30pm last night a vehicle was stopped by PSNI officers in the Keady area," he said.

"Two men were arrested and remain in custody."