False Imprisonment at Dunleer and theft at a Post Office at Castlebellingham, Co. Louth on the 26/2/10.

The Gardaí at Ardee are investigating a case of false imprisonment and subsequent theft at the Post Office in Castlebellingham on Friday, the 26th February 2010.

At 05.45am the proprietor of a shop in Castlebellingham awoke and walked his dog as usual. He returned after 20 minutes, when he was confronted by three masked men one of which was carrying a black coloured handgun.

The proprietor and his partner were taken hostage in their home at Salterstown, Dunleer. The three men ordered the female to write a note which was addressed to the post office manager in Castlebellingham. The men then tied the female victim up. The raiders instructed the male victim to go to his shop which houses the post office while his partner was held captive.

 
The shopkeeper went to his shop and when the post office manager arrived at 8.45am he told her what had occurred and showed her the note and other proof that his wife was being held captive.

The post office manager agreed to comply with the instructions fearing for the safety of the shopkeeper’s partner. Both of them put the contents of the safe into a black bag. The shopkeeper then left the bag at an alleyway beside a hairdresser on the side of the street for collection. A short time later the bag was collected by a smartly dressed man who then was collected by a second raider driving a black car. 

Gardaí in Ardee Investigating           Telephone 041 685 3222