Pensioner in hospital after Sligo carjacking

A PENSIONER was hospitalised after he was injured in a car-jacking incident in the west of the country.

The terrifying robbery took place at approximately 7.20pm in the Wine Street car park, Abbeyquarter North, Co Sligo on Monday evening.

A male aged in his early 70s was returning to his car when he was approached by a man and a woman.

The two assailants threatened the pensioner, who was in the company of his wife, who is in her 60s, before being forced to hand over the keys to his black Volkswagen. The alarm was raised and the car was followed by gardaí and intercepted in the Carrick-On-Shannon area. Both suspects then abandoned the vehicle but were arrested following a short chase.

Gardaí also managed to recover the vehicle taken during the incident.

The pair were brought to Ballymote Garda Station where they were held under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act for questioning. They have since appeared before a sitting of Ballina District Court where they were charged with the unauthorised taking of a vehicle.

The man and woman, both 30 years old and from Tallaght, Co Dublin, were remanded until a later date. Further investigations will also be carried out by An Garda Siochana.

A garda spokesman said: “The car was taken at approximately 7.20pm during an incident at Wine Street car park.

“A male aged in his 70s had his car keys and car taken when he was approached and threatened by a male and female.

“The alarm was raised and the car was followed and intercepted in Carrick-on-Shannon a short time later.

“A man and woman (both 30 years of age) were arrested at the scene. The investigation is ongoing and a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.”