The shocked dad of a seven-year-old boy who was the victim of an alleged attempted abduction outside their home has said he fears for his son following the terrifying ordeal - and warns other parents to stay vigilant.
The boy’s dad said his young son keeps asking him “Is he coming back?” following the alleged incident on Monday in
Ballyfermot in Dublin, in front of their home.
He has also issued a warning to other parents to remain vigilant while gardai have confirmed their enquiries into the allegation are ongoing.
Speaking to The Star yesterday, the dad, who did not want to be named, explained that at first he did not realise what was going on while his son played outside their family home on a quiet street in Ballyfermot – otherwise he would have immediately confronted the male.
“My son was running in and out of the front door playing and was sitting on the footpath outside our home when a car pulled up almost immediately,” the dad said.
“An elderly man got out of the car and walked to the boot while speaking to my son. He took out a bottle and asked my son did he want ‘a sup of pop’.
“My son just sat on the footpath and the man then asked what’s your name. When my son responded, the man told my son ‘My name is John the Leprechaun’”.
CCTV footage seen by The Star shows the interaction between the two was at least 35 seconds long, with the man remaining there with his car for a further two minutes.
The dad said his son called out ‘Daddy, Daddy’ after the male asked him his name, and the man was heard on CCTV telling the boy “You have a big mouth on you.”
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