A suspected Dublin thug is at large after stealing an An Post van this morning and driving away in the vehicle packed with valuable parcels and Christmas presents and letters.
A Garda manhunt has been launched to find the thief who snatched the van while the postman was delivering letters at 9:45am on Thursday morning in Fortune Way, Ratoath.
They scoured the area and recovered the van across the road from the Ratoath Rugby Club but a number of packages are understood to have been taken.
Officers are pleading for anyone with information or who might have seen anything to come forward.
A spokesman said: "Anybody who was in the area at the time and who may have witnessed this incident or have information that could assist Gardaí should contact Ashbourne Garda Station on 01-8010600."
He added: "Gardaí at Ashbourne are seeking witnesses to the unauthorised taking of an An Post van at Fortune Way, Ratoath, yesterday morning.
"At around 9.45am the van was driven away whilst the driver was delivering letters.
"Gardaí searched the area and subsequently recovered the vehicle at Curragha Road, Ratoath, Co Meath (across the road from the Ratoath Rugby Club facilities).
"It transpired that a number of packages were taken from the van."
