Gardai are hunting for at least three raiders involved in a kidnapping and robbery last night in which a family of three was held captive in their home overnight.

A mother and daughter were abducted from their family home in Artane, and bundled into the back of a van which was later found near Dunboyne in Co Meath.

The male occupant of the house was forced to go to his workplace and hand over a substantial sum of money.

Gardai have said the raiders had Dublin accents, were masked and worse gloves.

WATCH: Garda press conference on Thursday morning's kidnapping

It happened at around 5.00am this morning, when the two women were taken from their home at Gracefield Road in a white or silver VW Caddy van - with partial registration number '09 D'.

It was driven around for a number of hours and found by gardaí.

Both of them were tied and bound in the back of the van in the vicinity of Chestnut Grove estate, Dunboyne in Co Meath.

The victims have not suffered any physical injuries, but are said to be traumatised by the ordeal.

At the same time, the male occupant of the house was forced to go to his place of work - a cash in transit company - and hand over a substantial sum of money.

This happened in the vicinity of Corballis Road Business Park at Dublin Airport.

Gardaí are appealing for the public's help about any suspicious activity at a number of locations between the hours of 8.00pm on Wednesday and 8.30am this morning.

• Any suspicious activity between the Artane Roundabout, Gracefield Road and its environs

• Any suspicious activity in respect of a '09 D' Volkswagon Caddy Silver/White at Gracefield Road, Artane, Chesnut Grove, Dunboyne or between those locations

• Gardaí are also appealing for information on a small white box-type van, which was parked in the vincinity of Corballis Road Business Park, Dublin Airport between 7.00am and 8.30am today

An incident room has been set up at Coolock garda station and anyone with information is asked to contact gardaí on 01-6664-200 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666-111.

David Davis owns the 'Shop and Eat' cabin beside the Aer Lingus cargo offices.

He explains what he saw happening.