Family traumatised by tiger kidnapping ordeal

A family with a young child were held hostage in an overnight "tiger" kidnapping as an armed gang forced a Bank of Ireland worker into its College Green offices to hand over cash.

The man was taken from his home in the Badger's Hill area of Kilteel, Co Kildare, after raiders burst into the house at gunpoint yesterday evening.

Two women, a young child and the bank employee were home at the time.

Gardaí said the gang forced the man to return to the city centre branch and take an undisclosed sum of cash before the family were later released.

No-one was injured but the two women and young child were badly traumatised by their ordeal.

Gardaí at Naas are investigating and appealed to anyone who may have been in the Badger's Hill area between 6pm last night and 8am today.

It is thought the gang may have stolen up to €7m.

Detectives are attempting to trace two cars which may have been used in the kidnapping and robbery.

It is believed the gang used a Red Toyota Celica, registration number 99-D-88856, and travelled with the bank worker to College Green.

The Toyota was last seen in the Clontarf area of north Dublin between 7am and 9am.

Gardaí appealed for anyone who may have witnessed the car to come forward.

They also wish to trace the family’s Black Volkswagen Golf, registration 05-D-33720, which was taken from the house at Badger's Hill.

Bank of Ireland said its priority is for the safety and wellbeing of the staff member and his family.

“All of the people involved have been released unharmed and Bank of Ireland is currently investigating the incident,” said a bank spokeswoman.

“Bank of Ireland’s priority is for the safety and wellbeing of the staff member and the family involved in this incident and all of the bank’s support services have been made available to them.”

Gardaí said the bank worker, his girlfriend and her mother were in the home with the couple’s five-year-old girl when the raiders struck.

It is believed the two women and the youngster were taken from the home during the kidnap.

Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern will meet Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy and senior management at lunchtime today to review the incident and to look at procedures that are in place in relation to bank security.

The security chiefs are to meet at the Department offices on St Stephen’s Green.