A bank clerk was forced to take €200,000 from a Dublin branch after his friend was taken hostage from their home in a tiger kidnapping early this morning.
A three-man gang broke into the pair's house in Deerpark, in the Kiltipper area of Tallaght at 1.30am.
The official was ordered to take the money from an AIB branch, while the second man was taken away from the house by the kidnappers, two of whom were armed.
The bank employee went to the AIB at Crumlin Cross as instructed and then on to a specified location near the Red Cow roundabout where he handed over an undisclosed amount of cash, believed to be at least €200,000.
Shortly after 1.30pm, the second man was released unharmed at the junction of Drumnigh Road and Moyne Road in Portmarnock and contacted gardaí.
Gardai are investigating how the clerk got access to the money and why the bank worker or colleagues at the AIB branch did not raise the alarm before then. Bank staff are obliged to follow set protocols which involves contacting gardaí and elite detective units to track kidnap gangs.
Gardaí are appealing for information from people in the Deerpark, Kiltipper area between 11pm yesterday and 3.30am today, and near the AIB branch between 8.30am and noon.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Gardaí on 01 6666056 or 01 6666000 or the Garda Confidential line on 1800 666 111.