The mother of a small boy found wandering alone in Clondalkin last Friday has been located by gardaí.

The woman, understood to be a local in her 20s, presented herself to local gardaí yesterday evening.

It is understood the incident arose after a "family misunderstanding" over who was supposed to be looking after the child when he went missing.

The youngster had been cared for the by the Health Service Executive (HSE) before his mother came forward.

Gardaí had yesterday issued an appeal for help in tracing the parents of the boy, believed to be between one and two years old, after he was found by a member of public outside the Thornfield Square apartments on Watery Lane in Clondalkin, Dublin at 10 o'clock on Friday morning.

Gardaí were ex­tremely concerned for the wellbeing of the boy's parents given that nobody had come forward or reported him missing. However, he was understood to be in good physical health.

According to a garda source, the boy "was found by a member of the public wearing a white shirt and nothing else – no nappy".

He was described as having fair skin and curly hair.

He had not said anything that could help gardaí trace his parents.

However, despite being separated it is understood the boy was not distressed.

The garda press office yesterday thanked the public and the media for their assistance in locating the woman.

"He would have been located so fast ahd it not been for the assistance of locals and media," said a garda spokesman.