Helen Judge, 41, was reported missing by her family on Sunday night.

She was taken by force from her County Kildare home and police now believe she is being held against her will.

The gang has demanded 200,000 euro for her return.

We are anxiously waiting to hear of any contact from the abductors, so far that hasn't come

Joe Egan Assistant commissioner

Mrs Judge, who shares her Allentown home with her two sons, was barefoot and wearing only a nightgown and dressing gown when she was taken.

She is described as 5ft 4ins, with blonde hair and a purple birth mark on her left cheek.

The police said she is on medication and are fearful for her health and safety.

Incident room

Her estranged husband, businessman Liam Judge, now lives in Spain.

Detectives said a man had telephoned the family home and asked for a ransom of 200,000 euro (�126,000).

Assistant Commissioner Joe Egan said police were "looking at every line of investigation, with no specific one at this stage".

He said police were anxiously waiting to hear any further contact from the abductors but so far that had not come.

Police have set up an incident room in Kildare and up to 50 senior detectives are involved in the search.

Police said they wanted to trace the recent movements of known criminal gangs in the Republic of Ireland who may be behind the kidnapping.