An investigation is underway at the Giraffe Creche in Belarmine in south Dublin after two toddlers left the premises yesterday. The incident happened after a side gate was left open by third party.

A staff member noticed the children were missing and located them along with a local resident on a grass patch outside the creche.

It says an animal handler "from a third party supplier who had brought a visiting farm to the creche" did not close a side gate properly and the two young toddlers walked through it.

It is not clear how long the children were missing for. In a statement this morning Giraffe has confirmed a full internal investigation is underway.

It also adds that the correct staff ratio was present at the time.