A COUPLE posing as Southern Health Board child care workers attempted to abduct a 16 month old girl from her home at Berrings, near Coachford, Co Cork, at 10.30 a.m. yesterday.
The mother became suspicious after they told her they wanted to examine the child. She brought her daughter into one of the bedrooms, locked the door and escaped with her through a back window to a neighbour's house.
The couple, who were driving a large grey car, were later seen leaving the area heading in the direction of Banteer. The man is believed to be about 40 years old, just under 6 ft and of a stocky build. He is well groomed with short dark hair and was wearing a navy blazer and grey trousers. He spoke with a Cork accent.
The woman was in her early 30s, just over 5 ft, and was wearing a full length fawn overcoat.
The Southern Health Board has confirmed to gardai that no health workers matching these descriptions were on duty in the area at the time of the attempted kidnap.
Gardai warned all parents to be especially wary of any persons claiming to be health care workers.