Gardai are hunting for a group of people who held a lorry driver hostage before making off with the vehicle which was full of Covid tests.
The shocking incident happened near Slane, Co Meath around 11pm on Tuesday.
The driver of the lorry, which contained a delivery of Covid test kits, was parked on a lay-by on the N2 Dublin Road in Fennor.
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A number of people restrained him and took control of the vehicle. He was threatened and driven away from the location, but later released with no injuries.
The man reported the theft to gardai who launched an investigation and located the stolen lorry on Wednesday afternoon. However, no Covid test kits were found.
An appeal has been launched for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage from the N2 Fennor Road, between Collon and south of Slane, or surrounding areas, between 11pm to 12:30am, to contact gardai.
Gardai are also asking to hear from wholesalers or distributors who may have been approached to purchase a large quantity of Covid test kits from an unofficial source.
A Garda spokesperson said: “Gardai in Navan are investigating a theft of a lorry that occurred in Slane, County Meath on Tuesday, April 25, 2023.
“At approximately 11pm, an articulated lorry with a male driver onboard was parked in a layby on the N2 Dublin Road in Fennor, Slane, County Meath, when a number of persons restrained him and took control of his vehicle.
“The male driver was threatened and driven from the location but later released with no injuries. He subsequently reported the matter to Gardaí who commenced an investigation.
“The lorry was recovered on the afternoon of Wednesday 26th April 2023 by Gardaí although the contents of the lorry (a delivery of Covid-19 test kits) were not present.
“Investigating gardai are appealing for any witnesses to this incident to come forward.
“They are particularly appealing to those with video footage (including dash-cam) from the N2 Fennor Road, between Collon and south of Slane, or surrounding areas, between the hours of 11pm to 12:30am, to make contact.
“Any wholesalers/distributors who may have been approached to purchase a large quantity of Covid-19 test kits from an unofficial source are asked to come forward.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Navan Garda Station on 046 907 9930, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, Crimestoppers 1800 250 025 or any Garda station.
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