A manhunt is underway in Dublin after a woman was raped in Clondalkin yesterday morning – just 400m from a Garda station.
The cyclist was walking beside her bicycle and heading towards Clondalkin village after stopping at a nearby garage to pick up some items on the Ninth Lock Road near the junction with the Neilstown Road at approximately 3.20am when she was dragged into parkland.
There the victim said she was threatened with a knife and raped by at least one of the group, who fled after the attack. The woman, who is in her 30s, was then able to contact Gardaí at nearby Ronanstown Garda Station and was taken to the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit in the Rotunda Hospital.
A forensic examination of the roadside scene has taken place but no arrests have been made.
Gardaí are appealing for anyone who may have been passing through the area around the time of the attack to contact them. Detectives are particularly keen to speak to anyone who may have a dash camera.
Southside TD Eoin Ó Broin condemned the attack and urged people with any information to contact Ronanstown Garda Station. “Any information, even rumour or gossip, could be helpful.” he told Dublin People.
“Unfortunately rape is an all too common crime in our society,” he added. “Official figures from the Court Service indicate that in 2015 there were on average 13 rapes per week. These figures do not include those crimes that go unreported.
“It is not enough just to express our outrage. There is a need to do more to tackle the causes of rape culture and to provide greater support to survivors of these crimes.
Taxi drivers, pedestrians and night shift workers may also be able to help and can contact them at Ronanstown Garda Station on 01-6667700.
