A gold BMW X5 rammed into an Irish Prison Service van as it transported inmates from court back to prison.
The incident occurred on the N2 at Kilcrow, Clontribbet, Co Monaghan, at around 6.45pm on Wednesday and no injuries have been reported at this point.
It is understood that gardai believe a gang was involved and tried to drive the van off the road in an attempt to rescue one of the prisoners on board – but were unsuccessful.
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An update from gardai on Thursday confirmed that the BMW involved in the crash was found later that evening burnt out just a short distance from the scene on the N2.
As their investigation continues, officers say “a number of individuals” were seen fleeing the location of the burnt-out vehicle in a grey/black Audi A4 with Northern Ireland registration plates.
They now believe that the BMW X5 could have been stolen during a burglary in Ashbourne, Co Meath, on May 15, 2022, with the reg plates 04D77272.
However, at the time of this hit-and-run, the BMW was bearing the false registration plate 06D520.
Gardai have since released a list of people they would like to speak with following the incident, which includes:
- Anyone who was travelling on the N2 in the vicinity of Kilcrow, Clontibret, Co. Monaghan between 5.30pm and 7pm on Wednesday 15th June 2022
- Anyone who was in the vicinity of Monaghan town centre between 9am and 7pm on Wednesday 15th June 2022 who may have seen a gold BMW X5 registration 06D520, or a grey / black Audi A4 with Northern Ireland registration plates
- Any person with any information on the gold BMW X5 from when it was stolen in Ashbourne on the 15th May 2022 to when it was involved in this incident in Monaghan on the 15th June 2022 either bearing the real registration 04D77272 or the false registration 06D520. Where was this vehicle parked/ stored during that period? Was this vehicle refuelled during that period?
They are also looking for anyone who may have dashcam footage of the area at the time of the crash to make this available to gardai.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Monaghan Garda Station on 047 77200 the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.
A statement published by An Garda Siochana read: “Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to a hit and run road traffic collision on the N2 at Kilcrow, Clontribbet, Co. Monaghan, yesterday evening, Wednesday 15th June, 2022.
“At approximately 6.45pm, a gold-coloured BMW X5, was in collision with an Irish Prison Services van. No injuries have been reported at this time.
“The BMW X5 left the scene and was found burnt out a short distance away on the N2.
“An Garda Síochána are satisfied that a number of individuals were observed leaving the scene of the burnt out vehicle in a grey /black Audi A4 with Northern Ireland registration plates.
“An Garda Síochána are satisfied that the BMW X5 may have been stolen in a burglary in Ashbourne, Co. Meath on the 15th May 2022. The correct registration of the BMW X5 is 04D77272. At the time of this hit and run collision the BMW was bearing false registration plates 06D520.
“An incident room has been established at Monaghan Garda Station."
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