Senior gardai have discounted suggestions of subversive involvement in the abduction of a man in Dundalk on Monday night.
Mr Leo Johnson (44) of Ashbrook was walking his dog along St Alphonsus Road when a van pulled up beside him just before 8.30 p.m.
Eyewitnesses said he struggled with four men before being bundled into the vehicle, which sped off towards the Border.
Gardai were notified within minutes and soon afterwards confirmed that the white Toyota van had crossed into Forkhill in south Armagh.
Gardai were trying to establish the identity of the abducted man when Mr Johnson was reported missing by his family.
They went to Dundalk Garda station where they identified the dog as theirs. Gardai immediately issued Mr Johnson's name and alerted the RUC.
Gardai worked late into the night searching for clues. about the gang behind the abduction and The nature of the offence led some of them to fear the worst. Nearly six hours after his abduction, Mr Johnson was dropped off near the Lisdoo pub on the Dundalk-Armagh road. He made his way home and his family phoned the Garda to say he was safe and well.
Detectives later called to see him. Other than scratches on his hands he did not appear to have been ill-treated.
He said he had no idea who had bundled him into the van or why it had happened.
Senior Garda sources do not believe dissident republicans, or any subversives, were involved in the abduction.
One detective said that if they had been, it would not have taken place on a public street with numerous witnesses.
Last night gardai confirmed they are searching for the van, which had Northern Ireland registration plates which may have been false.
It was understood last night that Mr Johnson had not made an official complaint, but a Garda spokesman said that would not affect the investigation.