Family speaks of child's abduction

The family of the child at the centre of an abduction in Co Westmeath have spoken of their relief at her safe return.

Detectives from the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Unit are waiting to interview the traumatised schoolgirl who was held for five hours.

A man in his late 30s was arrested in Tullamore and is being questioned by Gardai in Athlone.

He will also be questioned about a similar incident last year.

The 10-year-old girl was taken in a car as she returned from shops near her home in Kilbeggan last evening.

She was located just after midnight when she was dumped near her home, after Gardai gave chase to a car that failed to stop at a checkpoint.

The young victim’s grandmother told Midlands Radio Three about the effect of the incident on the family.

"It was very bad. We were very shaken up last night," she said.

"She went to the shop and she had a scooter and she was coming home on it and she was abducted between a quarter past and ten past seven.

"She wasn’t released until nearly one o’clock this morning. She’s a quiet little girl. She’s not one who would go near strangers."