Security firm: Tiger kidnap fears soaring
The number of businessmen who fear being the next target of a tiger kidnapping has soared in recent months, it emerged today.
A protection specialist firm revealed it has seen a 40% rise in firm owners and company directors wanting to update security on their family homes and business premises.
David Walsh, of Netwatch, said heightened concerns about personal security have increased in the wake of recent tiger kidnappings.
Earlier this month All-Ireland winning hurler Adrian Ronan became the latest victim of a criminal gang who threatened his wife and three children as he took cash from the bank where he works.
“Tiger kidnappings are a regular occurrence, and not just in the financial services sector,” said Mr Walsh.
“The most publicised case was when attempts were made to hold the owner of a supermarket in Galway and his family hostage. Thankfully that attempt was foiled by a vigilant family member.
“But that case is not unusual, they just are not being reported in the media.
“We are seeing increasing numbers of Irish business owners, company directors and key holders being targeted by criminal gangs operating in this fashion. Business owners, company directors and key holders have a genuine fear that they are going to be the next target.”
Tiger-kidnappers raided the home of Mr Ronan on November 3 and took his wife hostage while he took ransom money from the Bank of Ireland in Kilkenny city.
The plot fell apart when the gang of at least three armed and masked men became spooked and did not show up at a drop-off point.
It was the fourth similar traumatic raid this year.
Justice Minister Dermot Ahern met with bank chiefs and raised concerns about the quantities of money stored in vulnerable branches.
Banks were also ordered to look into tightening rules on staff access to large sums of cash to further combat similar raids.
Elsewhere three men convicted of holding the family of a cash-in-transit van driver hostage while €2.28m in cash was handed over will be sentenced on Thursday.
Jason Kavanagh, 35, from Mulhuddart, Mark Farrelly, 38, from Priorswood in Dublin, and 62-year-old Christopher Corcoran from Sutton, were found guilty after the longest criminal trial in the history of the State.
Netwatch said it has launched a new protection review service for its clients which Mr Walsh said will study every aspect of the security protocols and identify vulnerable flashpoints.
“In the current climate, businesses cannot take an ad hoc approach to their security,” he added.
“Evaluating security protocols after an incident has taken place is redundant. Businesses need to take the necessary steps now, to ensure the personal security and safety of their staff and their families.”
