Garda∅ in Cobh, Co Cork, are warning parents to be vigilant following two attempted child abductions there in the last six weeks.
The latest incident happened on St Stephen's night when a man in a black car tried to snatch a 10-year-old girl who was out walking with her friend.
The man pulled up next to the girls near St Colman's cemetery at 7.25 p.m. and asked if they wanted a lift.
When the 10-year-old turned down the man's offer, he got out of the car and grabbed her.
The girl managed to escape with her nine-year-old friend and made her way home. The children's parents immediately contacted garda∅ and road blocks were set up in the area. No detailed description is available of the man.
Anyone who may have been in the Carrigarnafoy area of the town between 7.15 and 7.45 p.m. on December 26th is asked to contact garda∅. They say they are treating the incident very seriously as it follows the attempted abduction of a seven-year-old girl in Cobh last month.