Appeal for witnesses over alleged attempt by motorist to abduct girl

GARDAÍ were last night trying to track down a man suspected of attempting to abduct a 10-year-old girl.

The girl was walking to school on Boghall Road in Bray, Co Wicklow, shortly after 8.30am, when a white car pulled up beside her. A Garda spokesman said “a suspicious approach” was made by the man.

“The girl was on her way to school and managed to get to school unharmed after the incident,” he said.

Detectives are examining reports by the girl that she was forced into the car and that she escaped when the car stopped at traffic lights.

Gardaí were due to carry out a formal interview with her last night, conducted by a trained specialist child interviewer. It was hoped this interview would establish what exactly happened and firm up the girl’s initial description of the man.

Detectives said the man was driving a “new white car”, possibly a Volkswagen Golf or Polo, but said they had no better description. Gardaí are examining CCTV footage from the area.

They said the road would have been busy at that hour and appealed to anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who saw anything suspicious to contact them.

Bray Town Council chairman, Labour councillor Ronan McManus, said it was “every parent’s nightmare”.

He said he believed in the need to encourage children to walk or cycle to school and get exercise. “This is a big worry. Kids should be allowed out and walk to school without this cloud hanging over parents.”

He had this advice for parents: “Make sure your child understands the danger of interacting with strangers, particularly if they are on their own. If children are walking to school, try and make sure they are in a group or maybe chaperoned by a parent.”

Local Sinn Féin councillor Rossa Murray said: “I’d ask kids to be vigilant going to school. Don’t talk to strangers and absolutely don’t get into a car, and if you are approached scream as loud as you can.”

* Anybody with information on the incident is advised to contact Bray Garda Station on 01 6665300, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.