The Garda have begun an investigation after a four-year-old boy was allegedly sexually assaulted as he played near his home in the Castletown area of Dundalk, Co Louth.
The incident followed a number of recent reports in the area of a man trying to coax youngsters into his car, although gardaí were not immediately linking the incidents.
A police spokesman said the incident was reported to have happened at around 7 p.m. on Friday.
But details of the attack were few and there was no description of the man, he added.
The Garda have appealed for witnesses.
PA
