A car belonging to a member of Clare County Council was stolen tonight while he was canvassing for Clare Fianna Fáil TD Timmy Dooley.

Cllr Pat Hayes had been canvassing with Deputy Dooley in the Clooney area on the R352 road between Ennis and Tulla.

It also appears that Mr Hayes and his son were followed by a car earlier in the evening.

Clare Fianna Fáil Deputy Timmy Dooley said: “The really upsetting thing is that it appears that Pat and Seamus were tailed for a while before they pounced on the car. It's frightening to think that as you step out of your car someone is waiting to jump in and speed off in a rural area.”

Mr Hayes’ Volkswagen Tiguan was parked close to Clooney Stores when it was taken at around 8.30pm.

It is understood that a car pulled up on the roadway and that at least one person jumped out.

That person is believed to have taken Mr Hayes’ car and both vehicles sped away from the area. Efforts are now underway to locate the vehicle.

Gardaí were notified while Mr Dooley posted a message on Facebook asking anyone with information about the vehicle or who knows where it might be, to contact Gardaí.

Cllr Hayes said: “I was canvassing with Timmy Dooley in Clooney and had called to a local house. We were just 20 feet from the car when it sped off. We heard the car starting and taking off. There was another car that pulled up and they took off together. I obviously want to get my car back but my mobile phone and wallet were also in it.”

Mr Hayes has also asked anyone with information to contact Gardaí. The car is a grey coloured VW Tiguan with the registration number 171 CE 1175.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Ennis Garda station on 065 6848100 or the Garda confidential line on 1800 666111.