Appeal over violent sexual assault on woman in Clondalkin

Garda says it is ‘important for safety of the community’ that culprits brought to justice

A Garda Forensic team examining a scene in Clondalkin where a woman was sexually assaulted by a group of men in July 2016. File photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times.
A Garda Forensic team examining a scene in Clondalkin where a woman was sexually assaulted by a group of men in July 2016. File photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times.

The Crimestoppers charity has launched an appeal for information in relation to a violent sexual assault on a woman in Clondalkin, Dublin last year which involved three men.

The woman was walking with her bicycle on July 28th, 2016 at around 3.05am on the Newlands Road in the direction of the Fonthill Road.

She was attacked and dragged into a secluded area where she was subjected to a violent sexual assault. There were three men involved in the attack and the incident lasted up to 15 minutes.

Gardaí say it is likely that the males involved were in the area for some time beforehand.

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Crimestoppers and the gardaí are keen to hear from anyone who was in the area between 1am and 3.30am on July 28th, 2016. They also want to hear from individuals who may have information in relation to the incident.

Det Insp Mark O’Neill of Lucan Garda station said the local community had been very helpful to the investigation when this crime was first reported.

“We are now asking people to come forward with any information at all they have. Even the smallest piece of information, which may seem insignificant, might help with the investigation,” he said. “It is important for the safety of the community that we identify and bring these individuals to justice.”

Calls to Crimestoppers are completely anonymous and callers do not need to leave their name or address. Callers can claim a reward for information which significantly helps the investigation.

Anyone with information can call Crimestoppers on 1800 2500 25.

Two men, one aged in his early 20s and the other his late teens, were arrested in the Ronanstown area of Dublin in the days after the assault. They were later released without charge.

Sarah Burns

Sarah Burns

Sarah Burns is a reporter for The Irish Times