A Mercedes car bought in west Clare for £10,000 has been confiscated by gardai after the purchase money was stolen from the original owner within minutes of the sale.
The owner had advertised the car for sale, and a Limerick man rang him with an offer of £10,000, which he accepted. The buyer travelled to Doonbeg on Tuesday night, handed over the payment in cash and drove off in the car. According to gardai, within 10 minutes a number of men wearing masks and armed with a hammer burst into the house. The seller of the car was counting the money, which was on the floor. The gang made off with the money.
According to a Garda source, they are following a "fairly good line of inquiry".
As part of the investigation, a Limerick man was questioned. The car was confiscated and impounded at Shannon.