Man for court over abduction of girl in Westmeath

A 33-year-old man is expected before Mullingar District Court tomorrow on charges relating to the abduction of a ten-year-old…

A 33-year-old man is expected before Mullingar District Court tomorrow on charges relating to the abduction of a ten-year-old girl in Co Westmeath.

The girl was grabbed outside a shop in Kilbeggan at 7 p.m. yesterday. Her kidnapper drove through a Garda checkpoint later last night with the girl in his car. She was found soon afterwards in a distressed state and taken to Mullingar hospital.

She is believed to be physically unharmed by the incident.

The suspect was later arrested in connection with the abduction. A Garda spokesman said the man's house had been searched but could not confirm reports that computer equipment had been seized.