A 12-year-old boy has said he was abducted by two men from outside his home in Co Galway, gardaí said last night.
Gardaí at Tuam are appealing for witnesses to the alleged abduction of the child from his house at Beaghmore, Caherlistrane.
A Garda spokesman said: "A red coloured car pulled up outside the house of a 12-year-old boy at Beaghmore, Caherlistrane. A man got out of the car and beckoned to the boy to come over, under the pretence of asking for directions.
"When the boy went over, he was bundled into the back of the car and it took off in the direction of Caherlistrane."
Gardaí said the boy's hands were tied behind his back with wire in the car.
The car stopped at a crossroads and the boy was thrown from the vehicle, which then sped off toward Caherlistrane.
Gardaí said the boy walked along the road and met a man working outside a house who untied him and helped him return home.
The passenger in the car has been described as 5ft 9ins, wearing a black hooded jacket, light blue jeans and a dark-coloured baseball cap. Gardaí said the driver has been described as having short brown hair, big ears, unshaven, and wearing a navy or black hooded jacket, a dark baseball cap and denim jeans.
Officers asked anyone who witnessed the incident or who has information to contact Tuam Garda station on 093 70840.