A young girl was left "hysterical" after being followed by a suspicious man in Co Monaghan.
The incident happened in the town of Carrickmacross at around 6pm on Thursday.
In a post on a local Facebook group, the young girl's mum said that her 14-year-old daughter had been forced to run to safety after the horrifying approach.
She explained that a man approached her daughter in a van, and asked about the dog she was walking.
After a short time the man continued to follow the teen in his vehicle, which forced her to start running towards Convent Lands Avenue.
However thankfully a woman came to the young girl's aid when she noticed the man's suspicious behaviour, and she led the youngster to the Convent Lands Estate to ensure she was safe.
Residents and parents in the area have been asked to remain vigilant after the incident.
And local gardai confirmed they are currently investigating the "suspicious approach".
A spokesman said: "Gardaí are investigating a report of an alleged suspicious approach of a female, aged in her early teens, that is reported to have occurred in the Oriel Road area of Carrickmacross on 10/09/2020 at approximately 6:10pm.
"Enquiries are continuing."
