THIS is the terrifying moment a young woman was attacked by a knifeman as he tried to rob her handbag.

The stabbing happened outside an apartment block in Dublin on Friday night.

3 The woman was walking into the complex when she was approached by a man Credit: Facebook

In footage posted online, the woman - in her 30s - turns a corner as the man walks closely behind her.

When she gets to the gates of the complex, he runs up to her and grabs her by the arm.

He then begins to stab her in an attempt to get his hands on her handbag.

The woman kicks him in the leg in a bid to defend herself but he continues to attack before running off.

3 The woman tried to defend herself as the man stabbed her on Friday night Credit: Facebook

She was treated in hospital for stab wounds to her hand and leg after the incident outside the Mill Park apartment complex in the Clondalkin area of the city.

The victim, who wants to remain anonymous, later took to Facebook to warn other women.

She wrote: "Last night I was attacked in front of main gate - Millpark apartments on Old Nangor Road around 10pm.

"The attacker was a young man (16-20 yrs old) skinny body, pale skin, ginger hair.

"He was wearing a khaki green hoodie, joggers and sneakers.

3 The man flees the scene after failing to get the bag Credit: Facebook

"He wanted to rob my bag, he had a sharp knife or blade, stabbed me numerous times in my hands and leg.

"I'm warning every women and girl in Clondalkin not to walk alone as he might attack someone again. He wasn't caught yet."

Police are investigating but no arrests have been made as of yet.

A spokeswoman said: "Gardai are investigating a robbery which occurred in Mill Park, Clondalkin on March 30, 2018 at approximately 10pm.

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"A woman in her 30s was approached by a male who tried to take her handbag.

"She received non-life threatening stab wounds to her hand and leg and was taken to Tallaght Hospital.

"No arrests have been made and investigations are ongoing."