Man arrested over suspected female genital mutilation in Dublin

Gardaí are investigating a suspected case of female genital mutilation carried out on a young girl in Dublin.

Gardaí confirmed that a man, who is in his early 30s and is believed to be of eastern African origin, was arrested in connection with an assault at around 8pm on Thursday.

It is understood that the man was taken into custody after concerns were raised over the attempted genital mutilation of the girl - believed to be just two years old.

The man was detained at Crumlin Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act and before beign released without charge on Friday evening.

A file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions in relation to the investigation, and gardaí have also carried out a technical examination of the scene where the incident occurred, said to be the man's family home in south Dublin.

Female genital mutilation remains a common practice in some African and Asian countries despite posing significant risks to those operated on.

It involves removing parts of the female genitalia which give sexual stimulation when aroused, and is punishable through the Criminal Justice (Female Genital Mutilation) Act introduced by the State in 2012.