Gardaí are investigating the alleged assault and false imprisonment of an Iarnród Éireann employee in County Laois.

The alleged incident occurred at around 5am on Tuesday 5th December at Kilbricken in Mountrath.

Gardaí said the victim was a security officer working at the rail company’s compound in the area.

The officer was approached by a number of men just after he arrived for work. Gardaí said the men assaulted him and locked him in the boot of his car.

The compound is in a rural area and investigators said the make and model of the vehicle the assailants used to make their escape is unknown at this time.

Gardaí believe there were at least three attackers. 

Anyone who may have witnessed unusual activity in the vicinity are asked to contact Portlaoise Garda Station on 057 8674100 or the Garda confidential line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.