Member of the public ensures that woman forcibly abducted and thrown into van is rescued

The victim's male attacker had driven the van across the country to Mayo when the call came in

Garda cars sped towards the location and conducted a forced stop, before immediately gaining access to the van and taking the woman to safety. Picture: Dan Linehan

A member of the public has ensured that a woman forcibly abducted and thrown into a van has been rescued after they alerted gardaí to a sighting of the vehicle after hearing an appeal in relation to it.

Gardaí responded to a public order incident in Arklow, Co Wicklow in the early hours of Tuesday.

A vehicle, later identified as a yellow van, left the scene and gardaí were concerned for the welfare of a woman in her 30s who was also in the van.

Gardaí took the rare step of issuing a Garda alert at 3.13pm, saying: “An Garda Síochána are looking for information on the current whereabouts of a yellow Renault Traffic van, registration number 181-D-39433.

“This vehicle was last seen in Dublin city centre.

“Members of the public with any information are asked not to approach the vehicle but to report any information or sighting by calling 999/112.” 

 The appeal was put out throughout the media while garda vehicles nationwide were alerted.

Within an hour, a member of the public contacted Gardaí about a sighting of the vehicle. The van had managed to travel across the country as far as Co Mayo.

Garda cars sped towards the location and conducted a forced stop, before immediately gaining access to the van and taking the woman to safety.

The driver, a man in his 40s who is understood to be from the west of Ireland, was arrested on suspicion of false imprisonment.

There are fears the man may have been bringing his prisoner back to his “home ground” — but for what end is not yet clear.

It is understood the man is not thought to be in a relationship with the woman and is not married to her.

An updated press release from Garda HQ said: "An Garda Síochána has successfully located the vehicle in question in County Mayo, following information provided by a member of the public.

"The investigation into the alleged false imprisonment of a female is ongoing. The woman is safe and well and is currently receiving support from An Garda Síochána.

"An adult male has been arrested and is presently in custody at a Garda Station in the Northwestern Garda Region.

"An Garda Síochána would like to thank the public and media for their assistance.

"No further information is available at this time."

A garda investigation has been launched in Dublin and another has been set up in Mayo.

Gardaí say it is very early in their investigation and that more details may follow.