A man abducted by masked men returned home tonight in a "terrible state" as police investigated possible IRA involvement in the kidnapping.
Mr Brendan Rice was beaten and tied up before being taken from his home in Newcastle, Co Down last night.
Three masked men bundled him into a van in what police have described as a "very brutal" incident.
His brother Sean confirmed this evening that his brother had returned home safe. Sean said he was in a "terrible state" and had been through an awful ordeal.
He stood by his earlier claim that the Republican movement were involved in the abduction.
PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Ord described the abduction as "very brutal" but said: "I think it's far too early to say whether this was specifically related to some sort of republican feud. We will have to wait and see," he said.
Mr Rice, 38, was held down and beaten at his Burrendale Park Road home before being bound and taken away in a white van at around 10pm. Police in Downpatrick have appealed for anyone with information to contact them as soon as possible.
PA