Gardaí have warned parents in Dundalk to be extra vigilant after a man tried to abduct a four- year-old girl.
They have issued a description of the man and are hoping to make early progress in the investigation.
The girl and her friend, also aged four, were playing in the courtyard area outside their apartment. They are both non-nationals and had with their families moved into apartments in the large Carroll's Village complex in Dundalk six weeks ago.
The apartments are behind a gated entrance but there is pedestrian access through smaller gates. It is close to the busy town centre and cinema complex.
A Garda spokesman said that the man approached the two girls and began talking to them. After a few minutes he exposed himself.
One of the girls immediately ran away and he attempted to grab the other one. Despite the language barrier - both girls are from Eastern Europe - gardaí were given a description of him.
He was of slim build of average height with fair to ginger hair. He was wearing a green T-shirt and blue denims with black shoes and a blue baseball cap. He is believed to be in his late twenties to early thirties and had a large tattoo on his left forearm.
Last night Garda Supt Pat Magee said: "Parents should be aware this person is out there and know where their children are all the time and report anything suspicious to the gardaí straight away."