'Please lock your doors if you are inside your car'... Man charged after Meath carjacking incident

Louise Walsh

One man has been charged after threatening a female driver in a terrifying carjacking ordeal in Navan on Valentine's evening.

The male, in his 30s, crashed the car and then tried unsuccessfully to hijack a second vehicle before escaping on foot.

In an 'anonymous' post on social media, a person claiming to be the victim urged all motorists to keep their doors locked when sitting stationary in their cars.

The post says: "I am the woman whose car got stolen outside the Ardboyne Hotel. A man sat in the passenger seat when I was waiting for my husband who was coming from the airport.

"The man tried to insert a needle in my arm but luckily I fought with him and managed to open the door and get out.

"Please lock your door if you are inside your car. It happened so quickly. Be careful out there."

The post goes on to thank staff at the Navan hotel, which is sited just outside the town on the Dublin Road.

"I have to say that when I went inside the hotel, they were very supportive and got me tea. Thank you so much to the Ardboyne Hotel for being there for me. It was an awful experience."

Gardai confirmed that the incident occurred at about 7pm on Friday, February 14th at Kilcairn in Navan.

They said: "The male suspect threatened the female driver of the car who exited the car and the suspect left the scene.

"The suspect crashed the vehicle at Garlow Cross, Navan, where he attempted to hijack a second vehicle but was unsuccessful. He made good his escape on foot.

"Following on from investigations, Gardai conducted a planned search operation and one male, aged in his 30s was arrested last night, Saturday 15th February, 2025 and was detained at a garda station in Meath.

"He has since been charged in relation to the incidents and is due to appear before Monaghan District Court on Monday, 17th February 2025 at 10.30am.