Gardaí in Co Offaly have warned parents to be vigilant following an attempted abduction of a 13-year-old girl.
The incident happened near the town of Ferbane last night.
Supt Dave Kavanagh told RTÉ News he was extremely concerned about the incident.
He said he was taking the opportunity to create greater public awareness of what happened in light of the fact that the school holidays were in full flow.
'Parents should are advised that the gardaí are concerned about what happened near Ferbane last night and they should be aware of their children's whereabouts at all times,' Supt Kavanagh said.
It is understood the teenager sustained minor injuries when she was assaulted and ran to raise the alarm at a neighbour's house.
Gardaí say they are following a number of lines of inquiry.
