Man (30s) appears in court in connection with Navan carjacking incident
A MAN has appeared in court with allegedly threatening a female driver in a carjacking incident in Navan on Valentine's evening.
The man is alleged to have crashed the car and then unsuccessfully 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 said: “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.
“Please lock your door if you are inside your car. It happened so quickly. Be careful out there.”
Gardai confirmed that the incident occurred at appromimately 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 on Saturday 15th February, 2025 and was detained at a garda station in Meath.
Today, Martin Reilly (34), with an address in Windtown, Navan appeared via video link at Trim District Court today (Tuesday 18th February) and was remanded in custody to 18th March with directions awaited from the DPP. He had appeared in Monaghan District Court on Monday.
He was charged with two counts of unauthorised taking or carriage in a vehicle at Garlow Cross and Kilcairn.
Meanwhile, Navan Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses who may have seen a small, dark coloured van travel in the wrong direction down Bridge Street/Ludlow Street, Navan, shortly after midnight last Thursday (13th February) night into Friday morning (14th February).
Gardaí would in particular like to speak to the taxi driver who met this van head on.
Any witnesses are asked to please contact Navan Incident room on 046 9036166, Navan Garda Station on 046 9036100 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.