Simon Harris said he had been in contact with Gena Heraty’s family on Monday.

Figures show burglaries increased by 10 per cent last year, rising by 878 to 9,981

Judge Sheehan said O’Donovan used “significant violence” during the sexual attack on the woman.

Armed gardaí carried out a containment operation on the m50 last night after getting information from the PSNI about a suspected kidnapping in Belfast.

Diaz’s mother has been rescued but the Colombian authorities have stepped up the search for Luis Manuel Diaz.