“Please be vigilant”: Dublin mum issues warning after man tried to kidnap her son

"Don't take your eye off the ball for a second"

A Dublin mum has issued a warning to parents after a man tried to kidnap her son. The incident happened on Monday, December 12th in O'Connell Gardens, Dublin 4. A man approached the boy and told him to get into his van. Luckily, the young boy ran back to his nanny and sister before anything happened. The incident has understandably left the young boy's mother completely shaken. She has shared her story with HerFamily in a bid to raise awareness. The mum, who has remained anonymous, warned parents to be extremely vigilant because they don't know what could happen in a split second. Her mother stopped to tie her daughter's shoelace when her son walked ahead of them. The mum-of-two explained that the incident took place at 3 pm just seconds from her family's home. "We can become naive and think our kids are safe outside our door, walking home from school, playing with friends, etc. We can’t!" She told parents not to take their eyes off the ball for one second. The boy's mum is naturally feeling shaken but is grateful her son is safe. "I am not the better of it but so thankful that he is okay. I can't stop thinking about what could have been."

"He was four doors down from my house"

The young boy was only four doors away from his home when the man approached him. His mother shared, "It takes a second. He is ok. I don’t think he realises how serious it is. But his sister who is 8 is terrified now." She also told parents to talk to their children about incidents like this. Make sure they know to never talk to strangers, especially if they're on their own. "I'm so lucky my boy is wise and knew to run. We are so thankful." "Please chat to your kids and make sure they know to not speak to anyone.. run, scream, shout! Do whatever it takes." Anyone who may have witnessed this terrifying ordeal has been asked to contact the Irish town Garda Station. If you were driving near Bath Avenue between 2.30-3 pm then you should make dash cam footage available to Gardaí.