Two men hold woman at knifepoint in Longford carjacking incident

A man is in custody this afternoon after a woman was held at knifepoint during a terrifying carjacking incident in Longford town last night (Wednesday).

The victim, who has yet to be released from hospital following her ordeal, was attacked by two men as she returned to her car on Ballymahon Street shortly before 6pm.

Following a brief tussle, the pair bundled the woman into the car before speeding through the town and along the main Athlone Road.

It was during that attempted getaway, a passing patrol car noticed events unfold and went off in pursuit.

In their attempts to give gardai the slip, its driver lost control of the car and struck a ditch.

One of the suspects, aged in his 20s, was taken to the Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore for treatment.

A second man temporarily managed to escape the attentions of gardai by fleeing the scene on foot.

He was arrested a short distance away however during a follow up operation, involving uniformed, detective and members from the Regional Support Unit (RSU).

He is currently being questioned by investigators at Longford Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.

The woman, who what gardai believe was a particularly distressing ordeal, was taken from the scene by ambulance to Mullingar’s Midland Regional Hospital where she remains.

Her injuries are described as being as not life threatening.

In the meantime, gardai have begun a technical examination of the car and opened an investigation into the incident.

As such, gardai have appealed for witnesses to come forward.

They are especially interested in speaking to anyone who was in the vicinity of a car park, known locally as Heaton’s Car Park on Ballymahon Street, Longford town between 5.30pm and 6pm yesterday (Wednesday) evening.

Longford Garda Station can be contacted by phoning (043) 3350570. Alternatively, information can also be given by contacting the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.