Gardai in Westport have warned parents to be vigilant following two reports of attempted abductions of young children in the Leenane area and in Westport town over the last four days. Gardai had not ruled out a possible link between the two incidents.
A 13-year-old girl was approached by a man last Friday near the pier at Bundorragha, Leenane. The man was described as in his 40s, with dark hair and a dark beard, and driving a small red car. The girl returned home and told her parents of the incident.
At about 9.30 p.m. on Tuesday, a five-year-old boy was playing in the driveway of his house in Westport when he was offered sweets by a man in a car. The boy ran away and reported the incident. In this case, the vehicle was described as a red Volvo estate. Gardai in Westport have narrowed the vehicle's description down to a small red car with a blue door on the driver's side, and have appealed for more information.