A PRIVATE detective played a starring role in the drama involving a bag snatcher and Minister Mr Michael Lowry earlier this week.
Initial reports indicated the Minister's Garda driver and Mr Lowry had been the main actors in apprehending the man who snatched a bag from a woman in Dublin on Wednesday, and returning the bag to the woman.
But last night Mr Lowry was sharing the credit with others involved in the chase, including the private detective, Mr Derek Carruthers, and a motorcycle courier.
The Minister said he and his driver, Garda Tadgh Healy, saw the woman struggling on the ground as her attacker tried to grab the bag. They turned the car and set off after the assailant.
He said the man ran into an estate and was pursued by Mr Carruthers and the motorcycle courier. When the Minister's car caught up, Mr Carruthers "had at that stage got the bag, and he gave it to me", Mr Lowry said.
Mr Carruthers said he secured the bag by driving up to the running man and grabbing him from inside his car. He shouted at the man to let go of the bag and the man flung it away.
"He broke away, and I recovered the bag and went after him again.
Mr Carruthers said he left the bag on the seat of his own car and took off on foot after the mugger, who was soon apprehended by Garda Healy.
"Lowry was quite good," Mr Carruthers said. "I told him to keep an eye on my car and the handbag on the seat, and he looked after the bag in that, sense.",
Mr Lowry said the incident highlighted the value of the public cooperating with the gardai. "It's frightening to think that this can happen on an open road and a busy road," he said.
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OPW to report on friary plan
By FRANK MCNALLY
"A REPORT on how to preserve the remains of a 13th century friary in Dublin's "Temple Bar is expected to be submitted to the Minister for Arts, Culture and the "Gaeltacht today.
The report, by the Office of
Public Works, follows an on site meeting at Cecilia Street yesterday between archaeological and representatives of the developers and the OPW. Excavation of the site has been completed but development work has been put on hold.
Existing planning permission for the site is for a restaurant and a residential complex. It only required that the owners carry out an archaeological excavation. In consultation with the OPW, the developers have agreed a plan which includes dismantling the main friary wall and reconstructing a section of it in the restaurant. However, the plan has been criticised by conservationists, who accused the OPW of allowing unrestricted planning permission in the first place.
Yesterday's meeting discussed the methods by which the friary walls could be dismantled and rebuilt. A decision on whether the proposals are acceptable now rests with the Department of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht.