SUSPICIOUS approaches made to two young girls while they were walking home in Limerick city are currently under investigation by Henry Street gardaí. The girls, who were walking on Downey Street in the Kilalee area at approximately 10pm on Saturday February 2 last were approached by a man who was driving a Cork registered Ford Focus. The car was described as an “old type Ford Focus” according to reports made to the Gardai. Sergeant Brian Broderick of the Crime Prevention Office at Henry Street Garda Station, said that man asked the girls if they wanted “to go for a spin.”
The young girls declined the offer made by the driver, who is believed to be in his late 30s or early 40s and the car then drove off in the direction of Good Sheppard Villas.
Sgt Broderick said that the man involved in the incident is described as being “of heavy build and with short dark hair. He was wearing square rimmed glasses and a black Liverpool jersey. Anyone who saw anything suspicious in the vicinity of Downey Street between 9.45pm and 10.15pm on Saturday night or who has any information about either the car or the driver is asked to contact the Gardaí at Henry Street at 061 212400 or information can be passed on using the confidential phone line at 1800 666 111.
The Gardai are also appealing to the driver to come forward as other drivers have done in the past.
Sgt Broderick reissued a warning to parents about the safety of their children.
“It is important for parents to speak to children about how to deal with an approach from a stranger and to impress upon them the importance of reporting any approach that causes alarm to a responsible adult and the Gardaí where necessary.
In 2012, a number of these types of approaches were investigated last year and again, Gardaí reiterate that they should be made aware of any approach to a child that causes concern and it would be “taken seriously and fully investigated”.
