A young mother and her five year old child were reportedly attacked by a car hijacker yesterday evening.

The incident is said to have occurred in the car park of St James hospital in Dublin city centre. According to the Irish Independent the woman was walking towards her car when a man tried to grab her car keys from her. The young woman struggled with the man before being thrown to the ground in front of her son, sustaining injuries to her hands and knees. Her attacker then entered the victim's car and drove away towards Rialto, damaging both another car and a barrier at the exit of the hospital as he left. The car was later discovered burned out on Bonham Street in Rialto. It is believed the same man attempted the a similar robbery before on the grounds of the hospital. Attacks like these have been common at the hospital car park for some years and was one of the main concerns that local residents raised when it was announced that the new children's hospital was to be located on the grounds. Kilmainham gardai are currently investigating the attack and robbery but as yet the suspect has still not been located.