Girl arrested for false gang rape allegation
The girl, aged 17 at the time of the allegation, was released pending the preparation of a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
While the DPP could direct a criminal prosecution, gardaí were expected to recommend the girl be treated leniently.
The girl, now aged 18, alleged she had been dragged into waste ground behind shops in the Mountview area of Blanchardstown, west Dublin, on the night of December 31, 2003. She claimed to gardaí she was raped by three men, aged between 18-20, and that one of them wielded a knife.
The allegations attracted considerable media attention and caused substantial fear and terror in the area.
Gardaí in Blanchardstown launched a major investigation, involving considerable garda man-hours. A scenes-of-crime unit was dispatched to the scene, house-to-house enquiries were carried out, checkpoints were mounted and detailed forensic tests conducted.The teenager was brought to the Sexual Assault Unit at the Rotunda Hospital for examination.
With the girl’s assistance, detailed photo-fits of the alleged attackers were drawn up and circulated to all stations in the city. Certain people were nominated as possible suspects.
As enquiries progressed, detectives became increasingly suspicious of the accuracy of the allegations. Gardaí said no suspects had to suffer the shame of being arrested and questioned.
When officers received forensic and DNA test results, it confirmed suspicions and the girl was arrested for making false reports to gardaí.
It is understood the girl has problems of an emotional nature and may be in need of care.
