Family in shock after car is stolen from drive with baby in back seat

A FAMILY were recovering last night following a terrifying ordeal when their 13-month-old child was abducted during a car robbery.

The incident unfolded at around 7.30am yesterday when a car was taken from the driveway of a house at Park Vale in Baldoyle, Dublin, by a man.

A little girl was in the back seat of the car at the time.

The Irish Independent understands that the engine was running and a family member had momentarily returned to the house before the car was stolen.

They then watched horrified as the man sped away with the toddler in the back of car.

The car and the child were found 45 minutes later in the Clongriffin area.

She was unharmed during the incident.

The mother of the little girl last night said she did not want to discuss the terrifying incident, however, she confirmed the baby was fine.

Asked how everyone was, she said: “There’s nothing to say, everybody’s OK, she’s perfect.”

Neighbour Bernie Hutchings, who doesn’t know the family, said it was “frightening”.

Ms Hutchings said nothing like this had ever happened in the area before.

“It’s quiet around here,” she said.

“It’s frightening to think that something like that would happen.”

Her husband Tony said he had heard a car screech early in the morning, but he had paid no attention.

Screech

“I came down the stairs this morning and I heard a screech of brakes, but I thought it was someone messing at this hour of the morning, driving like that,” he said.

A local worker, who lives in the same street as the family, said: “We’re dumbfounded to be honest.

“This is a quiet area with no traffic going through it, so it doesn’t make any sense.

“Thank God the baby was all right, but we would like to know why this happened because people are on edge now.”

A young mother, who lives close to the area where the baby was taken, said the incident will force people to think more about security.

She added: “I will definitely think twice about security now.

“I’d say this will change the behaviour of every parent round here.”

Local Independent councillor Keith Redmond said: “The community is stunned and shocked that someone would do something like this.”

Gardaí have appealed for witnesses or anyone with any information in relation to the incident to contact Raheny garda station on 01 6664300.

“Investigating gardaí are appealing for witnesses. They are particularly appealing to anyone who observed the car taken in the incident between 7.30am and 8.15am to contact them. The car is a dark navy Opel Vectra hatchback registration number 05D 66688.” a Garda spokesman said.