Gardai appeal over airport bus hijacking

 

Gardai investigating the alleged unauthorised taking of a mini bus and suspected false imprisonment of three passengers in an incident at Dublin Airport last week have issued an appeal for information from the public.

Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have seen the white Nissan mini bus travelling from Dublin Airport via the M1 in the direction of Dundalk on Wednesday,January 8, to come forward.

They also appealing to any road users, taxi drivers and bus drivers, who may have camera footage to contact Carrickmacross Garda Station on 042 969 0190, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

Two men were arrested in connection with the incident and appeared before a sitting of Cavan District Court on Thursday, January 9.

Stephen McDonagh (25) and John McDonagh (26), both with an address at The Steeples, Navan, Co Meath, appeared before Judge Denis McLoughlin at today's sitting of Cavan District Court.

Both appeared charged with two counts of unlawful taking of a vehicle on Wednesday morning, January 8 - a Carlton Hotel courtesy bus at Dublin Airport, and a car near Castleblayney, Co Monaghan.

They each also appeared charged in relation to a number of historical offences.

Gardai indicated that further charges would be forthcoming following a file being sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions on the matter, the the defendant's were each remanded in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court later this week, January 16.

The alleged bus hijacking occurred shortly before 1am when a hotel courtesy mini bus was taken with three passengers on board.

The three passengers alighted from the bus a short time later on the M1 near Julianstown,. All were unharmed.

Cavan Distrct Court heard how the mini bus though continued north on the M1 until it was located near Drogheda, and from there it was followed by Garda units to where it crossed the border north of Dundalk.

The PSNI were alerted and the mini bus was located again a short time later having returned south across the border into Co Monaghan and where it was found abandoned having crashed. The two occupants of the mini bus fled on foot before taking possession of a parked car.

This car was intercepted by Garda RSU members, with assistance from Garda Air Support near Castleblayney, a short time later.

 

See this week's Anglo-Celt newspaper for full court report.