Probe over alleged indecent assault on child in Dublin

Gardai are investigating an alleged indecent assault on a child in south county Dublin.

The attack is alleged to have taken place in Saggart yesterday.

The young girl who was in the care of Tusla was reported missing yesterday.

The gardaí had been alerted and had commenced a missing persons inquiry.

However, the child subsequently returned and alleged to her carers that she had been indecently assaulted.

Gardaí were called to the scene and commenced a criminal investigation.

A man in his 20s was subsequently arrested on suspicion of indecently assaulting the child.

He is being detained at a garda station in Dublin under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act and can be questioned for up to 24 hours.

Gardaí are still trying to establish the facts of the alleged incident.

They are engaging specialist child interviewers to speak to the child to try to determine what happened.

Two locations near the Citywest complex were sealed off today for forensic examination, but both cordons have now been lifted.

CCTV has also been gathered in the area and from the nearby Luas stop.

The child has also received medical attention.

Tusla have been contacted for comment.

In a statement this evening, Garda Headquarters said gardaí are investigating an alleged assault of a female juvenile reported to have occurred at Saggart, Co. Dublin today.

"A male has been arrested and is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a Garda Station in the Dublin region," it said.