Parents warned after attempted abduction
PARENTS have been warned to stay vigilant after an attempted abduction in Clondalkin last week.
A five-year-old boy who was playing in a cul-de-sac was approached by a man in a white van on Thursday, June 11 at approximately 5pm.
The youngster was close to his own home in Green Park when the incident occurred and ran away when the man asked him if he wanted to go to the shop with him.
The parents of the child, who were shaken by the incident, contacted Gardai and The Echo understands that a statement was taken from the child and parents immediately.
It is believed that the the suspicious approach included the man getting out of the van and putting his arm around the child.
Gardai confirmed that an investigation into the incident during which a young boy was approached is currently under way.
A Garda spokesman said: “Gardai in Clondalkin are investigating a suspicious approach to a child near Corkagh Park on Thursday. There was a white van involved.”
A number of schools in the area are thought to have alerted parents to the attempted abduction over the weekend.
A text was sent out to guardians which read: “A parent has informed us that there was an incident re a suspicious man in a white van approaching a young child. Please be vigilant.”
Warnings were also posted on several social media sites in both Lucan and Clondalkin asking parents to be cautious.
Gardai confirmed to The Echo that an investigation team is looking into the incident and that as yet there have been no similar reports elsewhere in Clondalkin.
The Garda spokesman said: “There have been no other reports of this nature and we are investigating the incident at the moment.”
