Driver set upon by four masked men in carjack ordeal

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Sergeant Duignan continued: “This specific car may have been targeted. We do not know if they got away with anything of value.”

The car was later found burnt out in a remote location in County Leitrim, but near the village of Ballintogher by a local farmer tending to cattle at 11am on Sunday morning.

“There is a 12km distance between the two crime scenes,” said Sergeant Duignan, “And we are appealing to anyone with information regarding this incident to contact us. This was a very unusual, strange and frightening thing to happen.”

Gardai say the driver who was ‘extremely shook’ suffered minor injuries including bruising to his arms. He fled the scene on foot leaving his mobile phone in the car and ran in the direction of the N4. He approached the nearest house he came across for help from where Gardai were then called.

A 999 call was dispatched and Gardai were on the scene within minutes.

It’s believed the car was burnt out near Ballintogher a short time after being stolen and Gardai are particularly interested in any information between the time of the incident at 9.45pm on Saturday night and 10.45pm.

Gardai say they are examining all potential leads including if this car may have been singled out.

“A lot of people have already come forward and we are grateful to the public for this assistance. We can be contacted on 071-9165122,” said Sgt. Duignan.