Three attempted child abductions as gardai call for extra vigilance

Gardaí in Navan and Trim are investigating three claims that children were almost abducted. On Wednesday afternoon of last week it was reported to gardaí that a 10 year-old girl from Canterbrook estate, Navan, was approached by a man in a car on the estate and offered sweets to get her into the car. However, the girl refused and told her mother. Navan gardaí carried out door-to-door inquiries in the area and took statements of up to 20 people but there was little information available. The description from that incident is of a white male with blonde, spiked hair and he was driving a navy car. As yet there is little more on either the vehicle or the man. A similar description was given for a man who attempted to get a 15-year-old girl into his car the following day (Thursday 4th August) at a similar location and time. The description of the man at the centre of that incident was given as being late 30s or early 40s and with either blond or reddish spiky hair. Again, a dark blue saloon car was seen in the area between Canterbrook and Balreask Manor on the Trim road between 8pm and 9pm on the night. Navan gardaí carried out door-to-door inquiries in the area for both incidents and took statements off residents but, again, there was little more information available. However, it has emerged that Trim gardaí are investigating a similar incident that occurred on Saturday 23rd July in Kilmessan, two weeks previous, where a 10-year-old girl was approached by a man, exposed below the waist, driving a navy blue Nissan Primera or possibly Almera. The car followed the girl to near her home just off the Trim Road. When she was just a few houses from home he called her over to the car. When she saw he was naked from the waist down she ran home. Again the description was of a man in his late 30s or early 40s with spiky fair or red hair. Garda Sergeant Dean Kerins, who is the crime prevention officer for the county, said: "There was an incident [on Wednesday] where a man attempted to get a young girl into his car in the Canterbrook estate in Navan. The male was described as white with spiky hair and driving a dark coloured saloon car. "He offered the young girl sweets to get into his car. The young girl had great sense not to get into the car and to call for help immediately. "It is important that any suspiciously activity be reported to the Gardai in Navan immediately. "Should a incident occur vital information such as car description, colour, make or registration, if possible, should be obtained. Accurate description of any persons in the car if possible should also be noted. Please be extra vigilant and always keep an eye on all children within your estate," he said. Navan gardaí can be contacted on (046) 902 1445 while Trim Garda Station is on (046) 948 1540.