Bus passenger sought in rape inquiry
The man was on the last bus from Tramore on Sunday night along with the victim.
The girl was attacked in the early hours of Monday morning.
The man got on the bus at the Esso filling station on the outskirts of Tramore on Sunday night. He got off the bus at the same stop as the victim and her friend.
No CCTV cameras were fitted to the coach.
Garda Superintendent Dave Sheahan said others have come forward to help gardaí with their inquiries but they are particularly anxious to speak to this man who was on the bus with the victim and her friend.
“He got on the bus at the back of the hurling pitch on his own and came as far as Waterford.
“We want him to come forward so we can eliminate him from our inquiries.
“He was around 21 years of age.
“We would appreciate speaking to him.”
At least five other passengers were on the bus with the girl and her friend.
The bus was the last service from Tramore on Sunday night and left at 11.35pm, arriving at a bus stop just outside Superquinn on the edge of the city at 11.55pm.
Gardaí were alerted at 12.45am, when the victim, who had been attacked in a lane close to the bus stop, raised the alarm at a house in the nearby Cherrymount estate.
Meanwhile, residents close to where the attack took place want immediate steps to address problems with lighting in the area.
Fine Gael’s Maurice Cummins said: “The walkway has fallen into a very bad state of disrepair over the years.
“It was supposed to be an amenity area.
“But with the houses there, this short cut is being used by people shopping or using the sports centre.
“It was never meant as a short cut, but it’s there now and the council will have to look at the situation, in conjunction with the residents, to see if it is continued or not.
“If it is to continue to be used, it will have to be lit and repaired.”
Waterford City Council has said it plans to upgrade the area shortly.
Gardaí investigating the assault can be contacted on 051-305300 or on the garda confidential line at 1800 666 111.
