A MAN has been arrested after a car jacking incident in Limerick lead to a major search operation being launched in Co Clare after the car was found in the sea at Quilty on Sunday night.
At around 7:45am on Sunday morning, a woman was outside her 131 registered red Nissan Qasquai on Mulgrave Street when she was approached by a man on crutches.
It is understood that the man threatened the woman in her 30s and forced her back into her car as he got in to the drivers seat and sped off in the direction of Ballysimon.
Leaving the woman out on the side of the road, the man fled the scene in the car.
However, a major search operation was launched on Sunday evening after the car was seen entering the water near the pier at Quilty on the West Clare Coast.
The Doolin and Kilkee Coast Guard teams launched their boats and carried out surface searches while the Shannon based Irish Coast Guard helicopter, Rescue 115 undertook sweeps of the local area.
Divers were deployed to the car but no one was found inside.
The car could be seen submerged under the water and with the aid of a full scale emergency response, the car was recovered at around 10.30pm last night.
The woman, who had been left shocked, shaken and distressed, was treated at hospital for head injuries.
Just before lunchtime this Monday, a man in his 30s was arrested by Gardai in Henry Street and remains in custody for questioning and remains in garda custody.
Gardai say that they are trying to ascertain how the car ended up in the sea and if anyone was in the car before it entered the water.
Anyone who may have seen the car, its occupants or anyone that may have given a lift to a number of people looking to return to Limerick from the Quilty, area are asked to contact Gardai at Henry Street on 061 212400.
