Gardai are hunting an armed four-man gang who hijacked a white van in Co Limerick which was carrying cash and valuable car parts.
The van, with the UK registration licence plate number CU 16 TZR, was traveling in the Caherconlish area just before 3pm when it was hijacked by four men wearing balaclavas.
A garda source said they believed that at least one member of the gang was armed with a “handgun”.
The gang was traveling in a black coloured BMW Series 1 car, which Gardaí were still trying to trace.
Gardai recovered the white van in Kilcoman, Co Tipperary shortly before 5pm but, according to garda sources, no cash had been recovered.
The van had travelled to garages throughout the morning, delivering and collecting valuable car parts, including catalytic converters.
The Garda Air Support Unit was assisting the garda manhunt on the ground.
The gang were believed to have been following the van when they stopped it and removed the driver and stole the van.
The van was seen traveling in the direction of Monastery Road in Doon before it was eventually recovered in Co Tipperary.
It was located via an in-built GPS tracking system which was previously installed in the van.
Gardai were hoping the navigational tracking system may be able to provide them with details about the gang’s exact route and if they made any pit-stops along the way.
“We got a call that men traveling in a dark coloured BMW car had taken a van against the owner’s will. We believe there was a sum of cash in the van. It happened in Caherconlish just before three o’clock,” a source said.
The hunt for the gang and their BMW car was spread out across a number of Munster garda districts.
Gardai were also monitoring the motorway network that would provide the gang with access to wider routes outside the southerly province.
A Garda spokesman said: “Gardaí are investigating the alleged unauthorised taking of a van by a number of males that occurred at approximately 3pm on the Caherline road, Limerick today Wednesday 11th September 2019.
"It's understood the van contained a sum of cash and a number of other items.
“The suspects left the scene in the van in the direction of Herbertstown, Co. Limerick. The driver, a male in his 30s, is not believed to have suffered any injuries.”
“The van was later recovered in a wooded area on the Limerick/Tipperary border near Doon, County Limerick.
"No arrests have been made and investigations are ongoing.
"Gardaí at Roxboro Road are appealing for any witnesses to this incident to come forward.
"Gardaí are also appealing to any motorists who were travelling in the Caherline Road area at approximately 3pm who may have Dashcam footage as well as motorists with Dashcam Footage who were later travelling near Doon County Limerick where the van was recovered.
“Anyone with information can contact Roxboro Garda Station on 0612144340 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.”
