TWO MEN HAVE been arrested in connection with an incident which saw an Irish Rail security worker locked in his car boot for nine hours.

The incident occurred at around 5am on 5 December at Kilbricken, Mountrath, Co Laois.

The victim was a member of the security personnel employed at the Irish Rail compound in the area. The assault occurred when the victim was approached by a number of men as he arrived for work. The men then assaulted him and locked him into his car boot before escaping.

The compound is in a rural area and the assailants left the area in a vehicle. However, gardaí say the make and model of the vehicle is unknown at this time. Gardaí believe that there were at least three male assailants.

Two men were arrested on Wednesday and are both still being detained at Portlaoise Garda station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 as amended.

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.