Gardaí investigate Westmeath assault

Detectives were today hunting a youth who carried out a serious sexual assault on a young girl in broad daylight.

Gardai in Mullingar, Co Westmeath, said the youngster was attacked in the Ashe Road area of the town at about 3pm on Sunday.

A number of children were said to have been playing in an open area where the incident happened.

The culprit is described as being in his late teens or early 20s, of average height and had a freckled or spotty face.

He was wearing a grey tracksuit with a hooded top and black runners.

Gardaí have appealed to anyone who may have been in the area, who saw this youth or who can assist in any way to make contact.