Man tried to abduct schoolgirl

Gardai were searching last night for a man armed with a knife who tried to abduct a 14-year-old schoolgirl in a Border town

Gardai were searching last night for a man armed with a knife who tried to abduct a 14-year-old schoolgirl in a Border town. Detectives circulated a description of a man after the student told of her struggle to break free.

The abduction attempt took place a short distance from the St Louis Convent School at Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan. The girl was on her way from school when the man, believed to be in his late 20s or early 30s, came alongside her, grabbing her by the arm.

A senior garda said: "As the terrified girl put up this struggle the man pointed out he had a knife, but she still managed to break free and run to her home. She was in a very distressed state."

Gardai appealed for witnesses to this latest in a series of attempts to lure girls into vehicles in the north-east.