Gardaí remain unclear about the motive behind the intentional ramming of an Irish Prison Service (IPS) van in Co Monaghan on Wednesday.
The van was carrying four prisoners and driving on N2 at Kilcrow, Clontribbet when it was hit by a stolen gold BMW X5, bearing false number plates.
Investigators are confident the van was hit deliberately. At least one of the men was wearing a mask and the vehicle drove off before being found burnt out nearby on the N2.
However, the reason behind the hit and run is less clear. An attempted breakout of one of the prisoners is the primary line of investigation. But sources say after the collision none of the men in the BMW exited the vehicle and there was no attempt to open the doors of the prison van.
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Another possibility being considered is that the ramming was an attempt to injure or intimidate a prisoner on board.
It is believed a significant amount of planning went into the attack and that the suspects knew the route of the prison van in advance of time. The hit and run occurred about five minutes’ drive from the Border and gardaí believe the attackers may have fled to Northern Ireland.
The prison van was one of several that left the Criminal Courts of Justice (CCJ) in Dublin at around the same time after the conclusion of the day’s hearings. At least one of those aboard is considered a career criminal, who has multiple serious convictions.
Gardaí are also investigating the possibility the BMW hit the van before realising they had targeted the wrong vehicle. “Or they could have just lost their nerve. It’s all a bit up in the air at the moment,” a Garda source said.
The incident occurred at around 6.45pm. No injuries were reported among prison staff or prisoners.
Gardaí say several people were later seen leaving the scene of the burnt out BMW and getting in a grey or black Audi A4 that had Northern Ireland registration plates.
Although some prison vans receive an armed escort, this is typically only in cases involving subversives and serious organised criminals.
The BMW was stolen during a burglary in Ashborne, Co Meath on May 15th last. “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,” the Garda said in a statement.
Gardaí have set up an incident room in Monaghan Garda station and are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.
In particular, they are seeking anyone who was in the Clontibret area around the time of the incident and anyone in Monaghan Town centre at any point during Wednesday who saw the BMW to come forward.
Anyone with information on the BMW after it was stolen is also asked to come forward.
An Irish Prison Service spokesman said it is aware of the incident and it is being investigated by Gardaí.
