A man in his 20s has been charged following an alleged assault on a young girl in Saggart, County Dublin.
He will appear before Blanchardstown District Court this morning.
The alleged incident is understood to have taken place yesterday, outside the Citywest Hotel which houses international protection applicants.
Neither the man nor the young child were living there.
“Tusla have released a statement basically confirming that this 10 year old Irish girl has been in its care since February,” Irish Times Crime & Security Editor Conor Lally explained on Newstalk Breakfast.
“That she was taken into the city centre on a trip over the weekend and she absconded from that trip.
“So, that was reported to the Guards.”
The girl is understood to have turned up later on that weekend in a relatives’ home and then absconded from there as well.
“She remained in phone contact with Tusla care staff,” Mr Lally continued.
“And she later disclosed to them that she had been involved in an incident that she had been attacked.
“Tusla then contacted Gardaí and had an inquiry started.”
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The girl was taken to hospital and is being supported by hospital workers and Gardaí.
“We know he is from abroad,” Mr Lally said.
“He appears to have come to Ireland back in 2019; he applied for international protection.
“We understand that that process for him expired last year and he was refused international protection and there was a deportation order in place for him earlier this year.”
Gardaí want to talk to anyone who was at CityWest Drive, Garter Lane, City West Luas Stop or Saggart Luas stop between the hours of 11pm on Sunday night and 1.30am on Monday morning.
They can contact Clondalkin Garda Station or the Garda Confidential Line.
Main image: Gardaí in Dublin. Picture by: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie.
