A RURAL Inishowen community was reeling last night
after a mother and her young children were held at
gunpoint by an armed gang.
The gang struck as the woman was getting her
four children ready for the school bus at their
dormer bungalow in Kinnego near Buncrana around 9am.
Her businessman husband, who runs a car dealership in Derry, had left for
work when three armed raiders barged into the
family's dormer bungalow.
They threatened the woman and her children and
demanded money. The raiders stole €15,000 before fleeing in the family car, a dark
blue Audi A6, registration-number 09DL2621. No shots
were fired and nobody was physically injured, say gardai.
Shortly after the incident, a male in his 30s was
arrested near the house in Kinnego driving a Silver
Nissan Almera, registration number CZJ 2195. He was
taken to Buncrana garda station for questioning.
Gardai and the PSNI are hunting the raiders who fled
over the border into Derry through Bridgend, Co
Donegal. The Audi A6 was found abandoned in Derry
around 10am by the PSNI.
The couple are in their 30s and their
children range in
age from seven to 12. Family and friends were
rallying around them last night.
Fianna Fáil councillor, Rena Donaghey, said the
local community was shocked and angered by the
incident.
"You could not get a more decent family. The people
in Kinnego are terrified and really shocked that
something like this could happen in broad daylight.
This must have been a terrifying ordeal for a young
mother getting her children ready for the school
bus," said Cllr Donaghey.
"I would appeal to anyone who might have seen
anything suspicious in the area to contact the
gardai."
Buncrana garda station can be reached at 07493
20540. |
