His captors failed to extract any cash from a security van and released the man unharmed on Friday evening, according to gardai. The 29-year-old was taken from his home in Gateway Mews, Ballymun, at gunpoint on Friday morning.

He was eventually released that evening in Dunshoughly in the St Margaret's area of Finglas. Gardai said they were not releasing any further information about the man or where he was employed.

In recent months, tiger kidnappers have mainly targeted bank officials. Gardai were not aware of the incident until after the man was released.

The man was treated for shock but was otherwise unharmed. Detectives have appealed for witnesses who were in the Gateway Mews area between 8am and 9am or in the Dunshoughly area between 5pm and 7pm.

This is the eighth tiger kidnapping this year and follows newly issued security guidelines. Anyone who noticed anything suspicious is asked to contact Ballymun garda station on 01 6664400.