Gardaí are investigating an alleged sexual assault on two girls aged four and six. The attack took place in Swords, Co Dublin, on Saturday evening.
The two girls, who are friends and both from Swords, were approached by a man in the Cherry Park estate as they were playing on the street close to their homes just after 5pm.
Gardaí believe they have proof that a man fitting the description of the suspect given by the girls was in the area at the time.
He approached the two girls as they cycled their bicycles on a public pavement.
He engaged them in conversation before taking them to a nearby house where the alleged sexual assault took place.
Gardaí said the assault happened at the side of the property, which is out of sight of passers-by.
The house is currently for sale and is unoccupied.
The attack lasted for around five minutes after which the attacker left the scene and the girls ran to their homes to tell their parents.
The victims were said to have been traumatised by the attack. They were both at home recovering with their parents last night.
Gardaí have conducted house to house inquiries in the estate and have expressed satisfaction with the early progress in the investigation.
Det Insp Walter O'Sullivan said gardaí were anxious to trace the suspect as quickly as possible.
"This is a very sinister person who took advantage of two very young girls. If anybody even thinks they know who he might be we'd be looking for them to come forward."
The attacker is aged between 20 and 30-years-of-age. He is described as having short brown hair and a distinctive pointed nose. He was also unshaven and gardaí believe he may have a light beard.
He is of thin build and is believe to be around 1.77 metres tall. He was wearing dark pin-striped clothing which gardaí believe was a suit, a white shirt and black shoes.
Gardaí say he may have spoken with a Dublin accent.
Detectives in Swords, who are investigating the double assault, have appealed for anybody who may recognise the suspect from the description to contact him.
They are also anxious to speak to anybody who may have been in the Cherry Park area at the time to come forward.
An incident room has been set up in Swords Garda station where the investigating team can be contacted on 01-6664711.
