The baby girl was found safe and well two hours after she went missing in Dublin’s north inner city.
She was in the back of a Nissan Qashqui on Mountjoy Square when a man jumped in and drove off with the child at around 1.50pm.
The mother had just stepped out of the car at the time. It is understood the suspect did not realise there was a baby in the back seat when he sped off.
The terrifying incident unfolded as the mother and child attended an appointment in the city.
The child was later found safe and well after the suspect abandoned the car on North Richmond Street, having earlier attempted to use the mother’s bank card at a nearby service station.
Gardaí have now identified the suspect using CCTV and are confident of apprehending him.
The suspect, who is from Dublin’s north inner city, is understood to suffer from addiction issues and has been homeless in recent times.
Speaking at a media briefing after the girl had been safely located, Superintendent Liam Geraghty said gardaí received the report of the silver Nissan Qashqai being stolen from Mountjoy Square West in Dublin at approximately 1.50pm.
Gardai “immediately commenced searches in the north inner city” and emergency alerts were issued to all member son patrol.
A public alert for information was issued shortly after 3pm, followed by a formal child rescue Ireland (CRI) alert at 4pm. Shortly after the CRI, the car was recovered on North Richmond Street by gardaí on patrol.
Mr Geraghty said no person had been arrested by 5.30pm: “The suspect in this case is best described at this stage as a white, middle aged male wearing dark clothing and a baseball cap.”
He said it was a “obviously a very traumatic time” for the mother and father but added: “Thankfully, they were all reunited together shortly after 4pm.”
Asked by reporters if there was any connection between the suspect and the family, Mr Geraghty said: “To the best of our knowledge there’s no connection between the suspect and the family.”
He said gardai currently believe that the incident appears to have been an opportunistic crime, pending further investigation.
The car drove down Mountjoy Square West and on to Dorset Street
The suspect was wearing dark clothing and a baseball hat at the time.
The shocking incident led gardaí to issue a CRI alert this afternoon.
Today’s News in 90 Seconds – September 23rd
In a statement, gardaí said they had serious concerns that there was an immediate and serious risk to the health or welfare of the small child.
“At approximately 1.50pm gardaí received a report of a hijacking of a vehicle, a silver Nissan Qashqai Hatchback from Mountjoy Square, in Dublin 1. The car was hijacked by a man who is not known to the child.
“The car had a sticker on the back with baby onboard. A sticker with two baby feet on bottom right-hand side of back window, and a dog cage in the boot which may be visible,” a garda spokesperson said.
A Child Rescue Ireland (CRI) Alert is only launched when all the following criteria exist: the child is aged under the age of 18; there is a reasonable belief that the child has been abducted; there is an immediate and serious risk to the health or welfare of a child; and there is sufficient information available to enable the public to assist gardaí locating the child.
“Initiating a CRI Alert requires careful consideration,” a garda spokesman said today.
They said anyone with information is asked to contact gardaí on 999 or 112.
