Three teens attacked on their way to school

Three Limerick teenagers — two girls and a boy — were attacked when taking a shortcut to school yesterday morning.

A man in his 20s was arrested a short time later and is expected to appear in court.

The attack happened after the three left the Lee Estate area and were walking near the river bank on a walkway which leads to O’Dwyer Bridge near Athlunkard Boat Club.

A man approached and asked for the use of a mobile phone.

When he was handed a phone, he then demanded the two others hand over their phones.

It is believed a weapon of some kind was brandished by the attacker.

Although unhurt, the three were said to be traumatised by the incident.

Cllr John Gilligan who lives in Lee Estate, said many people use the walkway where the attack occurred as a short cut.

He said: “It is planned to put in CCTV there as part of the €10 million to strengthen the river bank.

“But I will now be calling for this CCTV system to put in place as soon as possible to deter criminals from going there.

“This was a dreadful incident. The three youngsters were walking to school when this fellow approached them.

“A lot of people going shopping also use the walk.”

In a recent incident, a group of youths tried to set a CCTV street camera located in the regeneration estate, St Mary’s Park, alight.

The CCTV system in St Mary’s Park is linked to a similar system in Moyross which is monitored at the community centre there.

Mr Gilligan said one CCTV camera on the walkway where yesterday’s attack occurred would be sufficient as the walkway is only a few hundred metres in length.