GARDAI are treating as “very serious” the reports of two suspicious approaches made to children in recent days in both Limerick city and county. “IF THEY children hadn’t acted in the manner in which they did it would have been something completely different that we would have been dealing with – it’s a credit to both them and the way their parents tutored them not to deal with strangers”, noted Chief Superintendent Dave Sheahan who has warned parents and children are urged to be extra vigilant after two incidents where young boys were suspiciously approached by several men in a white Transit van were reported to gardai in Limerick.
The Senior gardai member said that the division are taking the matter very seriously and say that they are investigating the incidents where a white Transit van, containing a number of males, separately approached two young boys on Thursday and Saturday evenings last week.
The first incident was at 5.30pm in the evening on the approach road to Fedamore when a boy was approached by the van and offered a lift. The boy declined the lift and continued on his way home only to encounter the van again further along the road where the back doors of the van were opened and the boy was told to get in. Again he declined and ran home.
At 9pm last Saturday, a white van again approached a 13-year-old boy on Lord Edward Street and the two male occupants tried to coerce the boy to get in but he refused and ran home.
Chief Superintendent Sheahan said that they are offering every assistance to the families involved and want to support them in every way.
He is calling on the public’s assistance in the investigations and to report any suspicious activity that may have been seen in either area.
“This happens around the same time every year as children return to school and we are trying to get to the bottom of this suspicious activity and we really need the public’s help.
Gardai at Roxboro are investigating both incidents.
