Man arrested after attempting to kidnap child from pram in city centre

"This is every parent's worst nightmare."

Reports say that the incident occurred around noon in the Sherriff St area of Dublin's north inner city.

A man in his 20s was arrested at the scene and is now being held in Store Street Garda Station.

Speaking to the Irish Independent, a passerby said she heard screaming in the direction of the incident.

“The baby was in the pram in the garden and the mam was just in the house getting something," she told the publication.

"A man came and took the pram. He ran away. The mam started screaming for help and knocking on doors."

Man arrested after attempting to kidnap child from pram in Dublin city centre

Local Dublin councillor Nial Ring said he had been talking to people in Sheriff St and said that Gardaí were at the scene within minutes.

“This is every parents worst nightmare. But thanks to the vigilance of the local people there something horrendous was prevented.”

In a statement to JOE, a spokesperson for An Garda Síochána said: "Gardaí from Store Street responded to an incident in the Sheriff Street area of Dublin 1 shortly after 12 noon on Thursday, May 2nd, 2024.

"A man, aged in his late 20s, was arrested at the scene for an alleged offence under the Non-Fatal Offenses Against the Person Act, 1997, and is currently detained at a garda station in the Dublin Region under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.

"An Garda Síochána is currently investigating and verifying the details of this incident.

"Enquiries are ongoing."

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