Gardaí in Newcastlewest have launched an investigation following the abduction of a Post Office official in Newcastle West Tuesday morning.
Gardai confirmed that around 8.30am Tuesday morning the staff member, a man in his twenties, was at the rear of the Post Office in the town when he was confronted by an armed and masked man.
“The staff member was taken from the scene under duress. A female staff member was contacted and told to take an undisclosed sum of money to a wooded area between Carraig Kerry and Athea. This instruction was carried under duress sometime between 11am and noon,” a Garda spokesperson said.
The post official was then discovered in the boot of his black BMW car in the Templegreen housing estate around 4pm.
Both the car and the area of the Post Office have been sealed off and technical examinations are underway. A large manhunt is now also underway.
Gardai are appealing for anyone who was in the Newcastlewest, Carraig Kerry, Athea and Templegreen areas overnight or this morning and saw anything suspicious to contact them.
They are also appealing for anyone who saw the black 09-LK BMW between the hours of 8am and 4pm Tuesday to come forward.
Gardai have not said how much was taken in the raid but the figure is said to be substantial.
Both staff members were said to uninjured however they have been through a traumatic experience.
