By David Raleigh

Update (5.06pm): Gardaí are questioning a man about the mugging of three schoolchildren in Limerick city this Monday morning, which may be connected to a mugging of a teenage girl on Sunday night.

Despite initial reports two girls and a boy were mugged as they made their way to school this morning, Gardaí now say the victims were three boys.

The boys are said to be aged between 15 and 16.

Earlier: Gardaí are questioning a man about the mugging of three schoolchildren in Limerick city this morning.

Two girls and a boy were walking on a shortcut to a local gaelscoil around 8.30am when they were approached and threatened by a man at a passageway between Athlunkard Boat Club and Lee Estate.

It is understood the man stole the girls' mobile phones and an amount of cash.

Although the two girls were not injured they were threatened by the man who is believed to have been carrying a weapon.

Gardaí sealed off the area this morning and carried out a search for a possible weapon.

A 20-year old man, from the Ballinacurra Weston area of the city, has been arrested in connection with the incident.

He is being held at Mayorstone garda station.

Former mayor of Limerick, Independent councillor John Gilligan - who lives in the area where the mugging occurred - condemned the incident.

Cllr Gilligan said he has, ad nauseam, called for a CCTV camera to be installed at the walkway, which links the Island Field with Athlunkard Street, Corbally.

"We have scumbags here who would prey on anyone, young and old or the vulnerable...we can't let this happen again," he added.

"Here we have two schoolgirls mugged on their way to school, and the city council is spending €10m on doing up the walkway, and we don't have any CCTV on it."

"The area is used by people as a shortcut, and for years I've begged the authorities for a camera to be placed there," he said.

"If only to try to prevent this from happening again, we need that camera."

"I'm again calling for it to be erected there," Cllr Gilligan said.