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Noose tied on hijacked pensioner Noose tied on hijacked pensioner
(about 1 hour later)
Thieves suspected of a series of car hijackings on both sides of the border forced a pensioner to drive his car with a rope around his neck.Thieves suspected of a series of car hijackings on both sides of the border forced a pensioner to drive his car with a rope around his neck.
Three men hijacked his vehicle after the stolen car they were in collided with a vehicle travelling along the main Newtownhamilton to Belleek road.Three men hijacked his vehicle after the stolen car they were in collided with a vehicle travelling along the main Newtownhamilton to Belleek road.
They then forced the man, who is in his 60s, to drive into County Louth.They then forced the man, who is in his 60s, to drive into County Louth.
Police suspect the same men had earlier stolen a silver Vauxhall Astra from a caravan site at Tollymore Forest Park.Police suspect the same men had earlier stolen a silver Vauxhall Astra from a caravan site at Tollymore Forest Park.
Irish police said they believed the incidents on both sides of the border are connected. Chief Superintendent Bobby Hunniford said the hijackers had traumatised the people they had attacked.
"Words just cannot describe the harm these people have caused to people right across the various communities here," he said.
"It was noticed by several of the people involved here that there was a strong smell of alcohol coming from these youths, indeed in one of the vehicles recovered there was a substantial amount of alcohol found."
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Irish police said they believed the incidents on both sides of the border were connected.
The series of incidents began at about 0400 BST on Thursday, when a car which had been set alight on the Trassey Road in Newcastle was discovered.The series of incidents began at about 0400 BST on Thursday, when a car which had been set alight on the Trassey Road in Newcastle was discovered.
A short time later, a man staying in his caravan at nearby Tollymore Forest Park was assaulted by a man who stole the keys to his silver Astra.A short time later, a man staying in his caravan at nearby Tollymore Forest Park was assaulted by a man who stole the keys to his silver Astra.
Later on at about 1230 BST, a woman was driving on the main Newtownhamilton to Beleek road when her vehicle, with a second adult and three children aboard, was in collision with a silver Astra.Later on at about 1230 BST, a woman was driving on the main Newtownhamilton to Beleek road when her vehicle, with a second adult and three children aboard, was in collision with a silver Astra.
A criminal gang operating in south Down and County Armagh were rampaging around the area interfering with cars, stealing cars and at one stage kidnapping a gentleman Danny KennedyUUPA criminal gang operating in south Down and County Armagh were rampaging around the area interfering with cars, stealing cars and at one stage kidnapping a gentleman Danny KennedyUUP
The three occupants got out and unsuccessfully tried to stop a car before hi-jacking a woman's people carrier.The three occupants got out and unsuccessfully tried to stop a car before hi-jacking a woman's people carrier.
A lorry driver who saw what was happening tried to block the road, forcing the thieves into a gully.A lorry driver who saw what was happening tried to block the road, forcing the thieves into a gully.
The men then hijacked a pensioner's car, put a rope around his neck and made him drive to Daw's Corner in Dundalk.The men then hijacked a pensioner's car, put a rope around his neck and made him drive to Daw's Corner in Dundalk.
The man, who was in his late 60s, was left in the vehicle when the hijackers reached Dundalk.The man, who was in his late 60s, was left in the vehicle when the hijackers reached Dundalk.
PSNI roadblockPSNI roadblock
Police in the Republic of Ireland are investigating an incident where an 81-year-old woman was injured when she was dragged from her car by a gang of youths in Dundalk, County Louth.Police in the Republic of Ireland are investigating an incident where an 81-year-old woman was injured when she was dragged from her car by a gang of youths in Dundalk, County Louth.
The woman had stopped her car when she saw the gang crash another car they had already hijacked.The woman had stopped her car when she saw the gang crash another car they had already hijacked.
She suffered a serious leg injury after being dragged from her car, said Irish state broadcaster RTE.She suffered a serious leg injury after being dragged from her car, said Irish state broadcaster RTE.
It said the Garda Air Support Unit had been involved in the search for the gang, which returned across the border before turning away from a PSNI roadblock near Newry, County Down.It said the Garda Air Support Unit had been involved in the search for the gang, which returned across the border before turning away from a PSNI roadblock near Newry, County Down.
They then struck again when they stopped another female driver on the Old Warrenpoint Road, pulled her from her car and assaulted her before driving off again.They then struck again when they stopped another female driver on the Old Warrenpoint Road, pulled her from her car and assaulted her before driving off again.
The gang are thought to be aged in their late teens or early 20s and may have southern Irish accents.The gang are thought to be aged in their late teens or early 20s and may have southern Irish accents.
Newry and Mourne Sinn Fein councillor Jimmy McCreesh said he visited the homes of some of those caught up in the incidents.Newry and Mourne Sinn Fein councillor Jimmy McCreesh said he visited the homes of some of those caught up in the incidents.
He said he hoped those traumatised in "these savage incidents" make full recoveries.He said he hoped those traumatised in "these savage incidents" make full recoveries.
Ulster Unionist Newry and Mourne assembly member Danny Kennedy said the incident raised concerns and said it was "highwaymen operating in broad daylight".Ulster Unionist Newry and Mourne assembly member Danny Kennedy said the incident raised concerns and said it was "highwaymen operating in broad daylight".
"A criminal gang operating in south Down and County Armagh were rampaging around the area interfering with cars, stealing cars and at one stage kidnapping a gentleman," he said."A criminal gang operating in south Down and County Armagh were rampaging around the area interfering with cars, stealing cars and at one stage kidnapping a gentleman," he said.
"He had the traumatic experience of having a rope placed around his neck and being brought across the border.""He had the traumatic experience of having a rope placed around his neck and being brought across the border."