Gardaí are appealing for witnesses after a car was pulled from the sea in Quilty last night.
The car, which was stolen in Limerick yesterday morning, was recovered off Quilty Pier around 10.30 last night.
A man has been arrested in connection with a car jacking, in which a woman was held against her will.
The carjacking happened around quarter to eight yesterday morning on Mulgrave Street in Limerick.
The female owner of the red Nissan Qasquai with a 131 LK registration was approached and threatened by a man on crutches, when a struggle ensued. The man attacked her with his crutches before bundling her into the car and driving off.
The woman, who is in her mid to late 30s was later let out of the car on the Ballysimon Road. She was taken to hospital but has since been released. She's said to be in shock and traumatised by the incident.
Then yesterday evening just after 7 o'clock, witnesses reported seeing a car entering the water from the pier in Quilty in West Clare.
A major rescue operation was launched and the Doolin and Kilkee units of the Irish Coast Guard were deployed to the scene along with the Shannon Rescue 115 helicopter and units of Clare County Fire and Rescue Service.
Divers confirmed they found no passengers in the water and a local building contractor provided a crane which helped to remove the car from the water around 10.30pm.
Officer in Charge at Kilkee Coast Guard, Martoni Vaughan says an extensive search operation was carried out.
An investigation has now been launched in West Clare.
Crime Prevention Officer Sergeant Joe Downey says they're working to find out how the car got to Quilty and he's appealing to anyone with information to come forward.
A man in his late 20s has been arrested this afternoon and is being questioned at Henry Street Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.
Anyone who may have information on the incident in Quilty is being asked to contact Kilrush Garda Station on 065 908 0550.
